Stefan Salvatore's daughter ~ Miracle

89. And just like that, I lost you again...

Kyle's P.O.V.

It's early in the morning, the sun just starting to get up. The Mystic Falls High School field is already all decked out for the commencement of the ceremony which will happen in few hours. Empty chairs are facing the podium when the principal will be standing to give the diploma to all those young and ignorant kids. Ballons, pom-poms and congratulations card are all set for the event. It will be a memorable day... I walk up on the podium, reaching out for the microphone. It's time to make an announcement... I pat two times the microphone to see if it is working as I see people joining me. That's right, come to the winner team...

- Welcome back, I greet them as I look at each and every single faces. I don't know any of them, but I can surely tell that they are not humans. The way they walk, the rage and the taste of revenge flashing all across their face... They can only be supernatural. It was our deaths that allowed this day to come to pass... Massacres performed in the name of resurrecting the immortal, Silas. Twelve hybrids, twelve witches, the slaughter of innocents by the so-called hero protectors of Mystic Falls. They risked unleashing hell on earth for their own selfish gains. And today that's exactly what they're going to get, I recount, remind and tell them with a serious voice, speaking with a determined tone. All of those people stare at me, some of them smirking to idea of my plan, others nodding positively. That's exactly what I wanted...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I slowly wake up, feeling an arm around my waist, a thumb rubbing my abs while feeling the familiar lips of my boyfriend tracing a line of kisses on my shoulder. I smile, feeling joyful and well after the amazing night he made for us. I couldn't have dreamed for anything better. It was perfect... I stretch before turning on myself to face the Original laying next to me. I look at Kol smiling at me, seeing his still sleepy eyes. I'm guessing someone just woke up too... I smile at him, placing my hand on his cheek to stroke it. I lean in and kiss his lips into a passionate kiss as Kol gives back a harder pressure to answer it. The two of us smile through the kiss before I hide my face into the crook of his neck. I love him so much...

- Morning, Beautiful, I hear Kol whispering as he kisses my cheek and caresses gently my back. Did you sleep well? He asks me while still whispering. I lightly chuckle before pulling my head out of his neck. Kol looks at me with love flashing through his eyes.

- Can you please bring me back to last night? I demand him with a pleading tone which caused the both of us to laugh at the same time. My boyfriend brings me back against him, embracing me at the same time. I kiss his collar bone as my left hand caresses his back as well. How are you? I ask him.

- I'm good, Darling, I'm good, answers, Kol, as I feel him lightly tightening his embrace. The two of us stay silent in each other's arms, enjoying this lazy morning that we are about to... This is a joke, right? Music is suddenly loudly blasting in the house, coming from downstairs. I can hear Kol groaning upset which caused me to smile and laugh in his neck. However, those people who have just put on that music at this time won't be good for too long, replies, Kol, answering to my previous question with sarcasm. I pull my head away from his neck before rolling my eyes, smiling at the same time. I lean in and kiss my boyfriend while my hand goes behind his neck to pull his even more closer. Kol slowly deepens the kiss, giving a hard pressure on my lips. I smile through the kiss again when the music echoes even more louder. Kol pulls away and lets himself laying on his back. I watch him sighing before he shakes his head negatively. I laugh to his reaction, amused.

- Come on. Get up, we have stuff to do today, I tell him, pushing the sheets away before getting up. I forgot for a moment that the two of us are still naked from last night...

- Ah, true, you're graduating again, says, Kol, while smiling at me. The boy looks at me, his eyes devouring me at the same time.

- What? You wanted to stay lazy in bed? I ask him with a playful tone as I chuckle.

- Well, that sounds nice. Can we? He answers and asks me with a smile, actually pleading me to stay in bed.

- Later, Handsome. Come on, I say while grabbing his pillow and gently hitting his chest with it. Kol groans annoyed before he hides his head under the pillow I just threw at him. I smirk while walking over to my shower, one hand on my hip. If you're not under the shower in 10 seconds, I'm not letting you touch, hug or even kiss me for a whole week, I tell him with a fake serious tone, gently blackmailing him. It didn't take more than two seconds for Kol to push the pillow away from his face and to get up. My boyfriend looks at me with a pouting face, clearly annoyed of my blackmail. I pull my tongue out at him before winking. The music still echoing loudly from downstairs, is suddenly even more blasting. As Kol was about to walk passed me, the boy suddenly picks me up, my legs circling his bare waist before the two of us find ourselves under the shower. We laugh joyfully together, kissing at the same time. God, I love him so much...

Stefan's P.O.V.

- Damon! Help me celebrate my 17th high school graduation, I say to my big brother, speaking with a joyful and half drunk voice. I am sitting on our couch, in the living-room, while drinking some Bourbon straight from the bottle as the music is blasting loudly. Bon Jovi... So much memories... Lexi is dancing and rocking out behind me until Damon decided to turn off the music. He looks down at me with an exasperated and annoyed look. Hey, you remember my friend, Lexi, of course? I say, pointing at my best friend.

- Lexi, back from the dead. Goody, replies, Damon, as he looks up at her behind me. He doesn't seem all happy to see her back... Well, they didn't really end on a positive note... Suddenly, Lexi vamp-runs at Damon and pins him against the wall with one hand over his neck.

- What's up, Buzzkill? Asks, Lexi, with a smirk at Damon. My little brother looks at her with surprised at first before rolling his eyes.

- Stefan, you're just gonna sit there and let her enact her ghostly revenge? Questions, my big brother to me, looking and sounding strained. I smirk too while weakly shaking my head left to right.

- You reap what you sow, buddy, I remind him. Damon rolls his eyes again, annoyed of me.

- Let's be very clear : whatever time I have left here, I sure as hell don't plan on wasting on you. You got me? tells and makes it clear, Lexi, holding tightly Damon by the throat. She's pissed...

- Yeah. Got ya, responds, Damon, while whispering. Suddenly, the three of us turn our heads as we hear someone with wet hair walking in the living-room.

- Aunty, release my uncle, tells, Gillian, while pointing at Lexi. With an annoyed sigh, Lexi does what Gillian told her and releases my brother. Damon, be nice, she then tells to her uncle, pointing at him while giving him serious eyes. Damon nods positively before looking down. I smile but quickly stop when I see Gillian appearing in front of me. Daddy, stop drinking. You clearly had enough, she says while taking the bottle from my hand.

- Who are you, Mini S? The police of drinking? Do I have to remind you that you are the youngest person in the room? Questions with a playful tone, Lexi to my daughter, while smiling and chuckling.

- Well, I am just the girl who keeps an eye on everyone to make sure they're okay, answers, my daughter, with a small smile while she sits on the arm of the sofa.

- We're fine, Honey. Although, it should be us watching you. You're the one who needs support, responds, Lexi to Gillian, standing next to her while gently pushing a lock of her hair. My little girl looks up at her aunt, faintly smiling.

- I'm fine, Aunt Lexi. I just need time, but I'll be fine, she answers while looking down this time. Time... That's what she says all the time. How much time does she still need? I just want her happy right now. I always want her happy... Lexi smiles at my daughter while I weakly nodding positively. I cross my eyes with Damon's, seeing my brother frowning sadly at his niece. Right... I sometimes forgot how close those two are. I mean, we might live all together since two years, it doesn't mean that I forgot all those years apart from Damon. Suddenly, another person enters the living-room. Kol smiles at everyone as he puts on one of his shirt. His hair are wet too... I'm guessing they just took their showers together... You haven't met Kol yet, tells, Gillian to Lexi, while getting up from the arm of the sofa. Kol shook hands with Damon and I before he rapidly joins my daughter's sides.

- No, but I did saw how good he has treat you, Sweetie, answers, Lexi, while looking up at Kol with a smile. However, that smile goes away as fast as it came. I also did saw how well you swing that hand at him once or twice for good reasons, replies, my dead best friend, clearly unhappy about what Kol might have done to Gillian. I see Kol losing his smile as he looks away and clears throat. Gillian widens her eyes with surprise as she hides a small smile, embarrassed. Discretely, I see my daughter taking Kol's hand in hers while this one sits on the arm of the sofa where was sitting Gillian before. It is nice to meet you though, replies, Lexi, smiling again as she holds up her hand to him.

- Pleasure, ma'am, responds, Kol, while shaking hands with Lexi. Gillian did talk to me about you once or twice but she never mentioned your... Direct talking, he says before him and my little girl look at each other and smile. Now I guess I understand where she got that... Way of speaking to people, replies, Kol, while Gillian leans against him. This Original has an arm around my daughter's back, holding her against him.

- So if you and Ric and little Gilbert and Kyle are all flesh-like and real-seeming, that means something went horribly wrong when Bonnie tried to put that veil up, suddenly says, Damon, breaking the meeting and family bounding as he approaches us. The four of us look at my brother, listening to him. And here you two are, having dance party USA, he says with sarcasm, looking around, annoyed.

- You're right. How selfish of me to be indulging in these precious moments with my formerly dead best friend. I should be sacrificing my own happiness for the good of others, right? I reply with sarcasm while taking back the bottle from Gillian's hand. My daughter looks at me surprised as she wasn't ready for my move. I should be upstairs grooming my hero-hair, I tell to Lexi with a suggestive tone, still mocking my big brother.

- Are you drunk? Asks me, Damon, frowning suspicious at me.

- I don't know, Mom, am I? I ask him back before taking a sip of Bourbon from the bottle. I hear Lexi chuckling to my answer while Gillian sighs.

- Do you have your answer, Uncle Damon? asks, my daughter to her uncle, looking at him with an unhappy look before she looks down at me. I hate when you're drunk, states, Gillian, while frowning at me.

- I know, but I promise you that I am not that drunk, baby, I reply to my little girl with a serious tone while touching her hand. The two of us stare for a moment, my daughter clearly not believing me.

- We went smooth, Mini S. Don't worry, says, Lexi, trying to take my defense.

- I do worry, answers, Gillian, while turning to her aunt and nodding positively at the same time. Suddenly, Damon snatches the bottle from my hand, causing the four of us to look at him.

- Whatever, I guess that's one way to celebrate our supernatural apocalypse, tells, Damon, before he takes a swig from the bottle. Here you go... I smile before seeing the exasperated expression on my daughter's face. Right... I see Kol smiling amused by his girlfriend. Kol pulls Gillian even closer to him if it is possible, placing a kiss behind her head. Now, care to hazard any guesses on what the hell went wrong? Questions, my big brother, frowning with a confused and serious frown. The five of us stay silent for a moment, thinking. I mean, he is right... Something definitely got wrong. But what? Suddenly, a phone rings which caused all of us to glance at my daughter. Gillian takes her phone out and answers the call.

- Hello? replies, my daughter, as she frowns confused.

- Gillian, it's Meredith Fell. I didn't know who to call and you are the only person on her list beside Stefan and Damon, I hear Dr. Fell speaking to my daughter over the phone.

- Oh... Okay, hum... I'm sorry, but what are you calling me for? answers and asks, Gillian, as she sounds and looks confused.

- It's about Meryll Fields, suddenly says, Dr. Fell. I glance up at Gillian, seeing my daughter tensing immediately. I don't like that... Gillian breathes shakily, already stressing out about that kid at hospital. She just woke up...

Bonnie's P.O.V.

- I hit kind of a snag, I say to Caroline over the phone while still standing in that chamber. I can't believe that I am dead... What will the others think? What will dad think? Say? Or do? Will he be okay? Will everyone be okay without me? They won't be able to have someone to help them with magic anymore...

- A snag? A snag is a bad yearbook picture. You hit a tsunami. Where are you? asks, tells and asks me again, Caroline, speaking to me with a serious and almost urgent tone.

- I'm trying to fix it, but I'm running into some trouble. I need to wait until the full moon tonight to have enough power to put the veil back up, I respond and explain to Caroline, staring down at the ground with sadness. How will they learn about my death? Will someone tell them? Will someone find me? So many stressful questions...

- Are you telling me that we might graduate right smack in the middle of a ghost-filled Expression Triangle? Questions, Caroline to me, while sounding annoyed. There's someone behind me... I turn around and glance down at my body with sadness... Ghost... That's what I am now... I look up and see my Grams looking at it as well. She's sad too...

- Maybe we should just cancel, I propose to Caroline. Although, I already know what she will tell me...

- No, we are not going to cancel. Graduation is the most important event of our lives, the last ceremony of our youth. It is our rite of freaking passage! she reminds me and exclaims seriously which got me to smile gently as small tears built up in my eyes. Rite of passage... If only I could do it... Hell will freeze over before I let anyone cancel graduation.

- Can you not make jokes about hell freezing over? We're not that far off from that already, I reply to her, kind of still not accepting my death. But how could she know she shouldn't have made one?

- Just promise me that today is a friend day, answers, Caroline, as I hear her faintly sighing behind the phone call.

- Okay, I promise. I love you, I respond to my best friend, frowning sadly. It might be the last time I talk to her...

- I love you, too, replies, Care, before she hangs up. I lower my head while sighing sadly. If only today could be a normal day without any supernatural problem...

- Go, I hear my Grams telling me. I spin around to look at her again. I'll make sure no one finds your body. But Bonnie... She tells me while staring at my dead body on the ground.

- I know. Okay? I say, interrupting her. I know I need to tell them, I just can't. They've been through too much already, I reply to Grams, shaking my head negatively. I just don't want to make it worse for them. I need them to have this special day perfect. I need it...

- I know, child. I was just going to say that... Make sure you say your goodbyes, replies, Grams to me, finally looking up at me. My goodbyes... Right... I nod understandingly at her, smiling sadly again. It's easier to say than to do...

Elena's P.O.V.

- Mm. Oh, my god. Mm, say, Alaric and Jeremy, with their mouth full, as the three of us are eating lunch together. It feels so good to see them, to talk to them, to... Just to spend time with them. It's just like old times...

- No grease on the Other Side, huh? I tell them while lightly laughing to their reaction against those burgers.

- You have no idea how much I've missed this, replies, Alaric, as he enjoys his food. I watch him grabbing a bottle of Bourbon that was right next to him. And this, he says, smiling. I rapidly take the bottle from his hand. No, hey. Hey! tells me, Ric, with a warning tone. I ignore him and take a swig from the bottle.

- She just got her humanity back. Let her live a little, tells, Jeremy, taking my defense. Jer tries to reach for the bottle but I hold it away from him.

- Hey, you wish, I say to him while chuckling.

- I'm dead... What are they gonna do, throw me in juvie? replies and asks me, Jeremy, speaking with a playful voice.

- Well, at least you'd have a place to live, responds, Alaric, entering our little game. Really? Smiling, I start throwing food at them.

- You both suck! I tell them with a smile, feeling more than happy to see them alive. I actually feel like this is surreal and I'm scared to wake up and find them gone again.

- Hey! Now there it is... That smile. I wasn't sure we were gonna see that again, tells me, Alaric, while smiling back at me. I continue to smile at them, but more sadly this time. I can feel my eyes glistening.

- I did some pretty terrible things, I admit to them before taking a deep and shaky breathe.

- Hey, no. No tears. If Caroline was right, we only have until tonight. We need a no-crying rule, tells me, Jer, with a serious voice as he gently smiles back at me. I miss his face, I miss his presence, his smile... I miss my little brother so much...

- But the crying's good. It means that I'm finally feeling something, and right now I... I stop myself from talking as I grab their hands in each of mines. I feel happy, I sincerely answer as a faint blurry cloud blinds me. However, I can perfectly see them smiling back at me. A small silence takes place between us three when my phone suddenly rings. I take it out, sniffling quietly and look at the screen. It's the Grill... It must be Matt, I tell them before answering the phone call. Hey, you went AWOL this morning... What happened? I say and ask to Matt, while getting up from the bench and taking some distance with the boys.

- Hello, Elena, I hear a suddenly familiar voice which is clearly not Matt's. However, I can't put a face to that voice... It's your dead friend, Connor. You remember me? reminds and asks me, the man. Oh no...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I push the door of the hospital wide open as I run up to the third floor. I know Meryll is up to that floor but I don't know if Meredith Fell will be there. I don't even know if she didn't move Meryll out of her room. As I am running through the ground floor, Kol has joined my sides. I guess he found a place on the parking lot of the hospital... He dropped me off in front of the doors as he saw how stressed and nervous I was... I am. Nervously, I press on the button of the elevator and wait for it to arrive. Come on, come on... I groan before opening the door of the stairs and rushing inside them. Kol follows behind me, not saying a word. With my vampire speed, I rapidly reach the third floor and walk in it. It's crowding with doctors and patients. The usual... where's Dr. Fell though? There's someone at the reception. I take Kol's hand in mine before running up to the desk.

- Hi, I'm looking for doctor Fell, I say with an urgent tone to the nurse, speaking and sounding nervous. The nurse begins to look at her computer when I suddenly hear someone calling me.

- Gillian? I turn around and see Dr. Fell coming over to us. Great! I release Kol's hand and walk up toward Meredith to meet her half way. Hey...

- Where is she? Is she okay? I immediately ask to the doctor, interrupting her.

- Darling, breathe, I hear Kol telling me as he puts both his hands on my shoulders to squeeze them. He's right, I need to calm down...

- She's fine. She actually asked for you, answers, Meredith Fell to me, while smiling at me. Meryll asked for me? I stare at her with surprise for a moment.

- She did? I ask to the doctor with a surprised tone. Dr. Fell turns around without saying a word before she starts walking. I follow her behind, followed by Kol behind me. She's leading us to Meryll's room... Rapidly, I grab Dr. Fell's arm and stop her in her tracks. Five more steps and we would have reach the room already. She's fine... Fine, right? Because I know humans can be at their worse and then they seem super fine like nothing had happened before they actually died, I ask and say quietly to Meredith Fell, speaking fast as I can't control the high nervousness in my voice.

- Meryll is more than fine. I have ran every tests possible. We fed her, we hydrated her, she even had a small shower. She's fine. She can't run and struggles to walk a bit because of the lack of exercise but she'll definitely get better quickly, answers and reassures me seriously, Dr. Fell, softly smiling at me. I nod understandingly at her as I take a deep breath in an out. This is so stressful... What if Meryll is scared of me when she sees me? What is she screams? What if she remembers what I did? Will she hate me? I wasn't paying attention to anything for a moment, until I felt someone grabbing my hand. I turn my head and look up at Kol. He squeezes my hand, giving me comfort. I smile at him before weakly nodding. I guess I need to go in there now that we are here... Slowly, the three of us enter the hospital room, finding the little girl calmly sitting on the hospital bed. She does look fine... Hey, Meryll, look who came for you, tells, Dr. Fell to Meryll, who turns her head to look at us. I can see a small smile spreading on her face when she sees me. Does she recognize me that she smiles?

- Hey, Lil' Dove, how are you feeling? I gently ask her, using her nickname that I gave her, while staying near Kol. I actually discretely lean against him, needing more comfort and courage. A small lump is form down my throat.

- Gillian! You came, calls me, Meryll, looking relieved to see me. Oh... I didn't think she would react like this... I weakly frown confused and stay silent for a moment before rapidly smiling at her.

- Of course, I did, I answer her, leaving Kol's sides to go near Meryll. However, the more I approach her, the more she suddenly looked scared. No... I stopped mid-way, standing before her bed to keep some distance. I don't want her scared of me... Are you okay? I ask her with a worried tone as I frown sadly. Meryll doesn't answer me and lowers her head. What...? I glance at Meredith who shakes her head negatively while shrugging confused. Meryll? Can... Can I sit next to you? I softly ask her as the lump in my throat gets more important.

- I remember... She suddenly whispers. What...? Confused, I frown at her as I stay silent. I remember you killing my mother at that... Weird and dirty place next to the woods, she looks back up at me, her eyes fearful. I can't tell if she is scared of what she remembers or if she is scared of me... There was a lake there, I think, and lots of men wearing dark clothes. It was the night. You killed mom, eating her blood. Your face was scary with dark weird thing under your eyes and your mouth was covered of blood, I look down, biting my lower lip as my eyes are watering up. I remember that night perfectly... I perfectly know what she is talking about... I perfectly remember what I did... And I'll regret it my whole life... And you bite me in the neck too. It hurt... she says with an emotional voice. I look back up at the kid. I wipe my eyes before any tears could roll down my face. Are you going to hurt me again? She asks me with a scared voice while almost whispering.

- No, no, I... I wasn't myself that night, I answer immediately, coming slowly closer to her before sitting at the end of the hospital bed. I see Meryll lightly moving backwards which hurt me. How am I going to do to make her see that she can trust me? A bad man manipulated my head and turned me into a monster. I hurt people. I hurt your mom and I hurt you. It broke me for the pain I caused you. If that man would have never... If... If he never... I sigh sadly and shakily before I slowly reach for one of her hand. I feel Meryll trying to take it back but she stops when she felt my comforting touch. Our eyes stare at each other for a moment, like we are reading our minds. I would never hurt you, Meryll. Never... I say with a serious tone as none of us have blinked once. Tears roll down my face. Slowly, I move closer to her again as I remark that she hasn't moved backwards this time. I gently push some of her hair behind her ear, my lips shaking. I'm so sorry... I apologize to the little girl before me, whispering.

- I also remember about Kayla. She became like you... begins to tell me, Meryll, as new tears roll down my face. I can see her eyes glistening as well. Right... Kayla... I look down, feeling like this was all my fault. She was scared that day and so was I. And the man was so mean and so cruel... she says as she stares into my eyes. She remembers about Kyle... I remember him ripping Kayla's heart out before he threw it at you. I saw everything. But you protected me against that monster. You protected Kayla too. It was like you were not scared of him, she finishes to say, tears finally rolling down her face. I am surprised to actually feel her squeezing more and more my hand, instead of screaming for me to go away. I am actually still surprised that she lets me stand before her.

- I did... And I'll do it again if I have to, I answer to the little girl, mentioning her protection. I'll protect her again if I have to, I'm not lying to her... I gently wipe her cheeks, erasing those painful tears. I glance up at Kol and Dr. Fell, the two of them still standing across the room. My boyfriend smiles and winks at me while Dr. Fell smiles at Meryll. All of a sudden, I feel the little girl embracing me which got me by surprised. Oh...

- Will you stay with me, Lilly? I hear Meryll asking me in a whisper, her face hidden on my shoulder. I smile to the nickname she just gave me as I slowly hug her back. I'm scared to hurt her even just by a simple hug...

- Yes. Yes, I will, I whisper back at her, running my hand up and down her back.

- I just need to fill some more papers and then she is good to go, I hear Dr. Fell saying even though she mostly talked to Kol. I glance up to the doctor while Meryll pulls away from me. Why does she look nervous suddenly?

- Where am I going? Questions, Meryll to Meredith Fell, speaking with a nervous and scared tone. Neither Dr. Fell, Kol or I answer to her question. The little girl looks at the three of us one by one, looking more and more scared. I can sense it from her... Am I going to go in that place where kids without parents are going to? Am I going to be alone forever? She asks us three, her eyes watering up suddenly as her voice cracks.

- No. No, of course not. You'll come home with us. For a little while... I immediately answer her, hating to see that kid like this. I see Kol and Meredith looking at me with surprised eyes for a small moment. I can't let that kid here or going anywhere. She is left alone because of me. All this drama, those catastrophes that has happened in her life are because of me. I can't let her alone. I can't abandon her... I have to try to repair what I have done, if it is even possible to repair those acts... Meryll stares at me, a small smile growing on her face. She seems okay to come with me...

- She's right. Gillian is your guardian for now, Meryll, suddenly says, Dr. Fell, approaching us. Meryll and I look up at Meredith. Unless there is someone of your family that you know and you would like us to call for you? Your father? Your aunt? An Uncle? Your grandparents maybe? Demands gently, Dr. Fell to Meryll, while looking down at the kid. For a moment, Meryll looks at the doctor and I alternately, looking like she seems to hesitate... Or like she is thinking for someone of her family... Or like she is remembering her dead mother and sister...

- No, there's nobody. I want to go with Gillian, answers, Meryll, as she holds my hand again. It's weird how I can sense that uncomfortable feeling from her, but still mixed up with relief. It's like she isn't all sure about me, but still relieved to not be alone. Meredith nods to the little girl before looking down at me.

- Let me fill some papers and I'll come tell you when she can go. Clean clothes are over there. She can slowly get ready, tells us, Dr. Fell, before she smiles at Meryll one last time.

- Thanks, Meredith, I whisper to the doctor before this one leaves the room. Kol approaches us and places his hand on my back. So, have you met my boyfriend before? I ask to Meryll, while looking quickly at Kol next to me.

- You have a boyfriend?! Hi, I'm Meryll, asks me, Meryll, with as surprised tone before she shyly looks at Kol.

- Hey, I'm Kol. So what would you like to do when you'll get out of hospital, Beanie-Bear? He answers to the little girl, presenting back himself to her. My boyfriend smiles to Meryll, as he asked her a question. I smile back as I hear him giving her a cute nickname.

- I'd like to watch a Disney. No, I'd like to go to the park. No, no, I'd like to draw something. Oh, no I could play a bit of my violin, responds, Meryll, with an excited tone as she seems to feel slightly more comfortable with us around her. However, I can still feel the nervousness and uncomfortable feeling mixed up with relief coming from her. It's a weird mixed up... I guess the excitement and the lost feeling are what makes her like this? Kol and I laugh to her excitement, amused.

- You'll do everything you want, Lil'Dove, I answer her, placing my hand on her cheek to gently caress it. Meryll looks at me with a sudden unsure look when she relaxes into my touch. I guess it will take some time for her to be okay with us...

Matt's P.O.V.

Rebekah and I are warily staring at the old and dead Italian vampire hunter as he loads weapons from Connor's RV. And say we thought we were done with those hunters... Now we have their ghosts haunting our town. Rebekah is slowly pacing in front of me, protecting my body from the dead man. She seems so nervous. Well, I guess either she protects it or not, at my point, it won't change much... The dead vampire hunter walks out of the RV, holding a gun in his hand.

- A hidden compartment filled with advanced weaponry. Man has evolved from his days of throwing stones, tells us, Alexander, examining the gun in his hand with an impressed and fascinated look. They didn't have those back at his time...

- There is nothing we can do for you, Alexander. Please, let us go, replies and pleads, Rebekah to the man, with a slight nervous tone.

- I'm not holding you here. Although, I have a feeling that exploding contraption will have a hard time parting with your handsome friend intact, answers, Alexander, looking down at my feet with a smirk. Right... That's kind of what I was saying earlier... I am standing on a weight-sensitive explosive device which I admit, isn't the best thing I have done in my life. I like adrenaline but... Not that kind of adrenaline...

- Just go, Rebekah. I'll be fine, I say with seriousness to the Original vampire before me.

- I'm not leaving you, tells me, Rebekah, turning her head to glance at me with a serious and an insisting look. By the sight of her eyes, I'm guessing I won't be able to change her mind...

- The soldier, Connor, found a way to siphon venom from a werewolf, exclaims, Alexander, while examining a bottle of venom, smiling in awe. Great...

- What do you want from us? Questions with a confused tone, Rebekah, as she looks at him with a frown.

- To fulfill my destiny. The brotherhood of hunters was created for one reason, and one reason alone, replies, Alexander, looking and speaking with anger and hate toward the vampire. This isn't going to get any better...

Damon's P.O.V.

I was drinking my glass of Bourbon quietly, enjoying the small moment of myself while the town is crowding of dead supernatural people. Seriously, what went wrong? What did the little witch do wrong this time? I drink up the rest of my glass when someone suddenly knocks on the front door. Who the hell could it be? If it is Ric, that guy needs to definitely come back to the "livings"... I walk up to the front door as I am the only one able to answer it. Stefan is with Lexi upstairs and will certainly not move. Gillian and Kol are at hospital for Meryll. Elena is outside with her little brother and Ric... Right, it cannot be the teacher... It knocks again when I suddenly open the front door. Oh... That is an unexpected visitor...

- Vaughn? I call the man standing before me with a confused tone and frown. Vaughn smiles at me before he lifts a gun and shoots me in the shoulder. The force of it causes me to step back as I groan in pain. This is a joke...

- Got a little message for you, laddie. Straight from the mouth of the witch Qetsiyah, tells me, Vaughn, still holding his gun out on me. This doesn't sound good...

Elena's P.O.V.

- We want Silas, and we want the cure, tells me, Connor, as him and I are still on the phone. Alaric is standing before me, frowning seriously and carefully.

- I don't know where they are, so I guess I can't help you, I reply to the dead vampire hunter as I stare at Alaric. I know he is listening to the conversation...

- Huh. Well, you know who's gonna need some help? Grandma and Grandpa Jones, in town for the big high school graduation, along with Auntie Sue and Uncle Mark... asks and threats me, Connor. This is a joke, right? I see Alaric motioning me that he's going to do something. I nod understandingly at him, going back to my conversation on the phone. Matter of fact, everybody here at the Mystic Grill for graduation brunch. You either give me what I want, or they die, blackmails and threats me, Connor. Oh, my God...

Damon's P.O.V.

- Yeah, borrowed it from my jarhead friend, Connor. Shoots wood like lead, tells me, Vaughn, while this one checks his gun. The dead vampire hunter came in without invitation and pushed me down into a chair in the hair. Wounded hostage in my own house... Great...

- Come on, man. I didn't kill you, I reply to the vampire hunter with a serious and mad tone.

- No, but you left me in that well on that island, where I starved to death. There I was, all alone on the Other Side, till Qetsiyah found me and reminded me of my supernatural destiny... To cure Silas, and then kill Silas. End of story... reminds and explains to me, Vaughn, when this one suddenly gasps and falls to the floor. What? I frown confused until seeing Stefan standing behind him, Vaughn's bloody heart in his fist. Oh... Nice move, brother... I gape at him as Stefan merely raises his eyebrows. Right... Suddenly, someone barges in the house urgently and looking worried. Oh...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I just arrived back home, walking rapidly toward the front door. I run up the steps of the front porch as I think of all the things I have to do before Meryll and Kol come back. I'm glad she is staying home with us. It makes me feel like I am doing something for her, trying to repair what horrible things I have done. I know giving her a home, food, a "good" life, won't bring back her mother, her sister or anything she used to have... But at least, I try to make it well for her. I was about to put my hand on the handle of the door when I heard a sudden ripping noise from inside. Ripping... I know that sound perfectly... No... Nervous and scared, I rush inside my house, the door flying opened as it hits the wall.

- Dad? Damon? I call loudly for my family, speaking with a worried and nervous tone. However, I didn't have to look very long for them as them two are in the hall. Blood... I can smell blood... Both of them turn to look at me, surprised of my sudden barging. They seem fine... Oh God, I thought I heard like someone getting their heart rip... Ah! I begin to say with relief, approaching them slowly until seeing a body on the floor with a heart next to it. I stopped walking and gasp, taking a step back at the same time. So a heart did got ripped out... Did they fought? Are they hurt? Quickly, I react and begin to check my dad for any wounds. Vampire hunters are always tricky...

- Gillian, what are you doing? I'm fine. I didn't even fought, asks and tells me, dad, gently pushing my hands away with his clean one to stop me. However, I immediately push his hand away and continue to check him.

- Let me just make sure you're fine. I... I begin to say, still patting him everywhere for any wounds. I breathe out shakily, stepping backwards nervously before looking up at my father to meet his eyes. Dad frowns confused and concerned at me as he seems to sense my emotions. I know he sees them in my eyes as well... Dad has always read me like an open book. I turn around and go to Uncle Damon who tries to get up. However, I push him back down on the chair, making him groaning in pain.

- Gillian, please... Ah! pleads me, Damon, before screaming in pain as I touched his shoulder. I pull his sweater down on the side, revealing a bullet wound on his shoulder.

- You got hurt, I state nervously before taking off the bullet as delicately as I can. Damon groans in pain again until I retrieve it from him. I drop the bullet on the floor before kneeling in front of my uncle, frowning sadly. Are you okay?

- It's just a bullet, Gillian. Don't worry, answers, Damon to me, as he looks at me weakly annoyed. I nod positively before looking down. I am relieved that they are fine, but I can't bring myself to smile. I feel Damon placing a finger under my chin, forcing me to look back up at him. What's wrong, Boo? You're all weird, asks and tells me gently, my uncle, while he frowns with concern. I stare at him for a moment, frowning sadly when I suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head and look at my father who knelled next to me.

- Are you okay, Sweetie? Questions, dad, while kneeling down next to me. Both brothers look at me with concern in their eyes while waiting for me to answer to their questions.

- I just feel the need to make sure you two are okay. Since Elena almost killed mom and I in that boiler room, it just made me think more and more and... And all those dead people coming back as ghosts and will disappear at any time today... I'm just scared that one of you might die and that I won't see you ever again, I answer and explain to them with seriousness, frowning sadly and fearful as my eyes look at them alternately. Having Uncle Ric, Aunt Lexi, Kyle and Jeremy back... It just made me realize how much I missed them, even though I knew I already missed them but... Seeing them again... It intensified this feeling. Thinking dad or Uncle Damon can be gone forever... I just don't want to think about it. I don't even want to know this feeling...

- But none of us will die, baby. It's just a little problem that Bonnie has to deal with to put the veil back up, responds, my father, with a reassuring tone as he runs his hand in a circle motion on my back.

- How do you know you won't get attacked, dad? Or Uncle Damon? Or even me? I ask to both of them even though I mostly look at my father. I feel my father squeezing my shoulder with comfort when Damon makes me look up at him again.

- Because you know us, Boo. We always fight back to come back to you, here, replies, my uncle, with a reassuring and comforting tone. I stare into his eyes for a moment before shaking my head negatively. Seriously? I mean, I understand what they are saying and I appreciate it but... They don't seem to get my point. I weakly scoff as I get up to face them both.

- Go tell that to those dead werewolves, dead vampire hunters, dead vampires and dead witches who are crawling the streets to get their revenge, I remind them with an almost mad tone while pointing at the front door. I frown at the brothers with a mix of madness and sadness. I wouldn't be surprised to see any of them coming here just to kill you, guys. I mean, he is the proof, I say before pointing at the dead Vaughn laying not far from us. Uncle Damon and dad stay silent before me, looking down for a moment as they don't seem to know what to say back. Right... I pass my hand through my hair, sighing. I need to do few things... I need to get ready... I tell them before starting to walk away. I feel their eyes burning me as a dead silence takes place between us three. Oh, right... Before I forget, I say, turning around to look at them two again. Meryll is fine. I took her under my responsibilities. I'm like her... Guardian or something like this. She'll live here for a little time. Is that okay with you guys? Both Uncle Damon and dad exchange a glance together before looking back at me and nodding positively. Oh... I thought they would have asked questions or... I don't know. I nod at them two, faintly smiling. Kol is with her getting few of her stuff and new things that she might need. Make sure she doesn't see the body, please? I inform and plead them softly.

- Of course, answers, dad. I faintly smile at them before turning back around to go upstairs. I have a room to prepare and I have to get ready for graduation...

Alaric's P.O.V.

- Please, don't hurt anyone. I'll find Silas and I'll get the cure, I hear the familiar voice of Elena through an electrical device after entering the Grill. That son of a b*tch cannot be far...

- Good. Get it done, replies, the voice of a man. Ahh... The bar. I should have guessed he would be there. I rush up to the man, ignoring any kind of people who could see me. I'll be gone in the next few hours anyway... The man hangs up right as I stand behind him. Perfect timing...

- So, you get off on terrorizing innocent people? I ask to the man who turns slowly around, an annoyed expression plastered on his face.

- And who might you be? He asks me, frowning carefully and madly.

- The guy responsible for the 18-year-old you just threatened, I answer him with seriousness, speaking lowly to threat him.

- Well, that 18-year-old snapped my neck with her bare hands, replies, the man to me, sounding mad and full of energy to take his revenge.

- And I'm also the guy who showed her how to do that, I answer to him with the same threatening tone. The man chuckles, laughing at me. What's so funny?

- That's ironic. You must not know a damn thing about fighting if you're trying to intimidate a dead guy packing C4, informs me, the hunter, as he opens his jacket to reveal he's strapped with explosives. Just what we needed... I should have seen it coming. This is going to be more complicated...

- This is my bar, pal. Nobody's gonna blow it up, I whisper with an even more threatening tone while taking a step forward. Grinning, the man lifts rapidly up a detonator in his hand. He clicks on it, certainly to trigger the bomb strapped around him. Without thinking, I grab him with my vampire speed and take him out of the Grill as far as I can. I don't have much to care about losing life anyway... The next second, the man and I find ourselves exploded, darkness consuming us again... It's like it will never end...

Matt's P.O.V.

I am still standing and trapped on the explosive device, constantly praying for my life. This is even worse than a nightmare... I'm supposed to be getting ready for graduation and then join my friends at school, not praying for my life. Rebekah is still standing before me, protecting me from that dead guy. Alexander is sitting on the steps of the RV, doing... Whatever he is doing. I don't care much about him right now... I look at the Original before me seeing her looking at the ground. What is she doing? I follow her eyes and see her staring at the wires on the ground. Oh... Not bad...

- Go ahead, sweet Rebekah. Use your vampire powers to whisk him away. I'm sure you can survive the blast of six of these... Automobiles. Can he? tells and asks, Alexander, smirking at the Original before me while he roughly points at the device connected to the cars. Well, this is bad though...

- Just ignore him. All right? I gently suggest to Rebekah, causing her to turn around to face me. She looks nervous and frightened... Let's think about something else. Like graduation. What are your plans... College? Travel? Just because I'm never getting out of this town doesn't mean you shouldn't see the world, I demand and tell her with a small gentle smile. I'm so nervous, I keep playing with my right foot... Rebekah, who has been watching the device nervously while I was talking, looks back up at me.

- It's just been settled. I'm gonna show you life as you've only dreamed it. We'll start in Italy. There's a lovely little church... replies, the blonde immortal vampire in front of me, before she turns to look back at Alexander, outside San Vittore in Brienno.

- Romantic spot. Popular for weddings, tells, Alexander, nodding his head up and down. He faintly smiles, looking he seemed to remember his country. Rebekah turns back to me after his answer.

- And then I'll show you the Northern Lights in the springtime, the Simatai Gorge from atop the Great Wall of China, every inch of the Louvre, keeps telling me, Rebekah, slightly smiling with hope. All of this sounds good, dreamy, but surreal. I've only known this town. I'm a bus boy, I don't get to have all of those... Do I?

- China, Paris, the Northern Lights... It's a date, I state with a smile to the Original, actually dreaming about all those wonderful places.

- We'll see it all when we're done here because we can. We're alive, she tells me before turning around to glance scornfully back at Alexander. We're not gonna be stuck as ghosts in misery on the Other Side, she spats at the man who is still sitting in the doorway of the RV.

- All right, you're done now, says, Alexander, with anger in his voice and on his face. In one move, the dead vampire hunter throws the dagger he's holding at me. Rebekah reacts immediately, catching it in its fly. However, as she does, she starts to knock me off balance. No, no, no... I teeter atop the device as Rebekah regains her footing, bracing against me. We're good, we're good... That was close! Without care, the Original throws the dagger to the ground, still holding me.

- I've got you, she tells me with nervousness. I laugh nervously at the close call before taking a deep breath in.

Bonnie's P.O.V.

I am walking down a deserted hallway of the school, wearing my red graduation gown while holding my cap. I can't believe I am graduating today... And I can't believe I am graduating while begin dead... If someone would have told me, one day, that I would have been dead the day of my graduation... I would have most certainly not believe that person. I'm going to miss those days. It feels like I enter high school yesterday. Time flies so fast. And yet, so much has happened those past two years... It felt long and endless on the moment but when I look back... Everything seems far. I stare blankly at the ground, continuing to walk as I think about my father this time. I still don't know what or how I will tell dad about me... My death. Should I even tell him? Wouldn't it be wrong to tell him?

- I don't think red's really your color, Bon-Bon, I suddenly hear a voice before seeing Katherine appearing next to me. Of course, she had to be here...

- And here I was hoping the ghost of anyone would've killed you already, I reply with an annoyed tone as I avoid her with my eyes.

- Funny you should mention death, because I'm here to collect that immortality you've promised me, answers, Katherine, while smirking and continuing her way along with me.

- Funny you still think you're going to get it. I told you, Qetsiyah's the only witch who knows the immortality spell. If she was a no-show, you're out of luck, I respond to the vampire, speaking with a blank tone. Why should I fear her anyway? I'm dead, I can't really die anymore... Suddenly, Katherine moves to block my way. I abruptly stop walking, looking up at her.

- See, here's the thing, Bonnie : I can't disagree with you, because I have been feeling out of luck lately. But you know who has been getting all of my luck? My beloved doppelgänger, Elena. My shadow-self is living a better life than I am, so if I don't get that immortality, I may just have to get rid of her altogether, tells me, Katherine, with a threatening tone, her eyes squinting more and more with madness. She was really determined to have that immortality... And I'm guessing she won't stop chasing me to have it... Well, she can run for a while...

- Did you just threaten my best friend? I ask her with disbelief. Katherine makes a face before smiling with satisfaction. I could crush your skull without even flinching, I threat her back with seriousness and madness. No ones threat my friends or family...

- Go ahead. Make your move, replies, Katherine, while smirking. She looks behind me as I suddenly hear voices. I turn around to discover a group of students wearing their red cap and gown, entering the hallway with excitement. Great... I turn back to face Katherine again when I remark that this one disappeared. Of course...

Damon's P.O.V.

I am standing in front of a mirror in my bedroom, rubbing delicately and uncomfortably my shoulder as I check the wound the bullet left. This is bad... I better hide it well before Gillian sees this. If she knows about it, I'll get lectured from my Little Niece which would be ironic to see, probably from Stefan too before someone eventually does something to help me such as giving their life. I don't want anyone to die because of me... For me... That's not going to happen...

- Hey, I hear the familiar voice of Elena after she gently knocked on my door. I nod at her, glancing at the girl from my mirror. I haven't really talked to her since last night after the cemetery thing... I didn't want to talk to her much, but another part of me still want the girl. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way for her. It's wrong maybe either for Stefan or for Gillian... But Alaric's right, I get to get the girl now... Look, Damon, I wanted to apologize for few things that I did, I frown confused as I keep my back turned to her. I know I haven't been the best person lately and... tells me, Elena, but stopping herself before sighing. The vampire steps up to me and spins me around so I face her. Look, I'm sorry for any threatening, manipulative and nonsense words I could have said to you. I wasn't myself and I wasn't thinking... Caring. Bringing the sire bond and all... It was wrong of me. I'm sorry, she apologizes to me, speaking seriously and sounding sincere. Her chocolate eyes don't leave my ocean ones, none of us blinking once. I love those eyes... The brunette looks down for a moment, playing nervously with her hands. And I'm also sorry for the way I have been treating Gillian. I know she is your niece, I know you love her very much, but her and I... Elena looks back up at me, taking a deep breathe at the same time. I'm actually surprised she is bringing Gillian up in this conversation. We just don't get along. We're... Too different... Or too similar, I don't know. But I'm truly sorry. I can't promise I'll make effort toward her to get along with her but... Don't ask me too much, she says with a serious voice. I can clearly see that she is annoyed for telling me this. However, I can see the sincerity in her eyes and voice. I cross my arms over my chest, frowning at her.

- You stabbed my niece. She died hundreds of times for you. You have wished for her deaths numerous of times. Do you think an apology is enough? I remind and ask her with disbelief as I weakly shake my head left to right.

- Damon, I know an apology isn't enough, but it is a beginning. I want to prove you that I can be... "Good" around Gillian. I can try to not fight with her. And for everyone, I can try to ignore her so there will be no more problem, tells me, Elena, still talking with a serious tone as her eyes continue to stare into mines.

- Really? I ask her, still doubting about her sudden apology.

- Damon, I'm trying to make it better for everyone, doing it step by step. I'm letting Gillian living her life freely, isn't it what you wanted for her? tells and asks me, the brunette vampire. Mmh... I guess she is right. A part of me wants Elena to leave Gillian alone because family comes first, but another part of me wants them both to get well along. Oh God, I sound just like Stefan... I weakly nod and look down for a moment when I hear Elena clearing her voice. So, hum... I think there's some stuff you and I need to talk about, she tells me, changing subject. Oh right...

- Yes, we do. But first... I say before walking over to my bedside table. I open a small chest and pull out the box Alaric gave me last night. I hope I am not making a mistake again... I walk back over to Elena, presenting her the cure. Consider it a graduation present, I reply, faintly smiling.

- Damon, I can't take that, replies, Elena, shaking her head left to right.

- Sure you can. Looks like it might be cherry-flavored, I reply, joking at the same time. Elena laughs as she looks away for a moment.

- I'm not saying I don't want it... Obviously I want it. But... That's the only one. There's only one cure. And the hunters have made it pretty clear that they're willing to kill everyone in Mystic Falls until they get it, she answers and reminds me seriously, losing her smile.

- Elena... I call her as I place the cure into her hand and fold her fingers over it, take the damn thing. I want you to take it, I sincerely tell her. Elena looks down at it, clearly hesitating over it. It's gift. Nobody can refuse gifts, right?

- I can't, she repeats, putting the cure back in my hand.

- Well, I guess that answers the sire bond question, I reply with a disappointed tone. I guess Alaric was wrong : I don't get the girl. Suddenly, the floor creaks. You gonna help a brother out, or are you just gonna lurk? I ask to Jeremy before even looking at him. I didn't need to look at the boy to know it was him. Elena turns to see Jeremy leaning against the door-frame.

- Look, Elena. You're my sister and I love you, no matter what you choose, he answers to her with a sincere tone, smiling gently at his sister.

- How is it even when you're dead, you're the bane of my existence? I ask to the Gilbert boy, frowning at him as well. Are they really all idiots in this family?

Stefan's P.O.V.

- So, the veil's down until tonight, he dies and goes to the Other Side, and what? Comes back all over again? How long does that take? states and asks me, Lexi, as she is crouching near Vaughn's body. I pour a blood bag into two glasses before taking them and handing one to my dead best friend.

- What, they don't give you a rule-book over there? I ask her back in a joking tone. Lexi laughs humorlessly at me as she accepts the blood.

- You know, you're missing your chance to weigh in on the Great Elena Gilbert Cure Debate, replies, the dead vampire to me.

- What am I supposed to do, tell her it's her choice? Because that worked out so well, I ask and say, sitting on the small table while Lexi sits on the armchair, facing me. You know, it's funny, those two are in there arguing about how to protect the world, and they have yet to address their biggest issue.

- Enlighten me, tells me, Lexi, looking at me with full attention.

- The sire bond's gone. Elena's emotions are back. She finally knows exactly how she feels, I remind her seriously, actually kind of nervous about all of this emotions thing.

- And what if whatever she feels is for you? Questions, my best friend. For a moment, I stay silent, considering the question. It's not a surprised and Gillian was right... I do still feel for Elena... As much as before, I don't know, but I do still have feeling for her.

- She's the love of my life. I'd go back to her in a heartbeat, I reply sincerely to the dead vampire. But, if that's not how she feels, then maybe that's exactly what I need to hear to get my ass out the door. Maybe I will move to Australia. I can live in a yurt, I quickly answer, coming immediately back to reality. I smile at my friend as this one laughs.

- Cheers to that, she tells me before the two of us clink our glasses. We take sip from them when we hear someone coming in. Hey, Mini S, join us for a drink! Says, Lexi, while motioning to Gillian to come over. My daughter looks at the front door before she faintly smiles and joins us. I smile at my little girl when this one comes in front of me. Oh... I move my hands and let her sit on my lap. Gillian kisses my cheek before she takes my glass of blood and takes a sip. I smile and kiss back her cheek as both my arms go around her waist. God, I missed to see you two this close... To be with you two, tells us, Lexi, while she looks at us with loving eyes. I see Gillian smiling to her aunt as she leans back to rest fully against me. I chuckle and kiss her cheek one more time before letting my head against hers. Where's Kol? I haven't seen him since you two left the hospital, asks and tells, Lexi to her niece.

- He's with Meryll, helping her to gather her stuff to come over, answers, my daughter to her aunt, while faintly smiling.

- How long is she staying here? I ask to my daughter.

- I don't know. As long as I can take her I guess, if it's okay with you and Uncle Damon, responds, Gillian as I feel her taking one of my hands in hers. I interweave our fingers together, smiling at the same time.

- She can stay however long she wants to, I whisper to my daughter while lightly rocking us left to right. Gillian smiles before taking a new sip of the glass of blood.

- So I know I wasn't present those past two years but I did look at the two of you. You got really close to your mother, Mini S, tells, Lexi to my daughter, while faintly frowning not too happily. However, Gillian smiles after Lexi mentioned Katherine.

- Yeah, I finally learned about her and to appreciate her, answers, my little girl in my arms. I look down as I am still not very okay to talk about Katherine and Gillian's relationship. I sometimes wish they would have never met. I will forever claim that Gillian is mine... Speaking of mom, do you know where she is, dad? I would like to talk to her? asks and tells me, Gillian, moving and turning her head to look at me.

- No, I don't know, Gillian, and I kind of don't want you to see your mother right now, I answer to my little girl while faintly frowning. Lexi and I exchange a glance when I feel Gillian pulling her away from my chest to fully look at me.

- Why not? She asks with a confused frown and tone.

- Because you're mother isn't... She's... I begin to answer her but I can't find the words. I look at Lexi, my eyes pleading her to help me find my words. I know why I don't want Gillian around Katherine right now. All supernatural ghosts are back, meaning I wouldn't be surprise if they go after Katherine to kill her for revenge. I don't want to lose my daughter because of this. I'm just protecting my child...

- What your father is trying to say is that you're mother isn't good for you. You might get well along with her, but she is still the same b*tch that left you when you were a baby, replies, Lexi to Gillian. I wouldn't have say it like that and I would have... Well... That is not the main reason.

- Mom changed, responds, my daughter, frowning unhappy to her aunt.

- Your mom didn't change and never will, Gillian. She'll always be that evil, cruel, manipulative b*tch, just like before, replies, Lexi, with a calm and serious voice. Not sure that is helping...

- Alright, could you stop insulting her? Thanks, demands, Gillian, getting upset at Lexi. Why do I feel like you two are against me? She then asks to the both of us, sounding really upset.

- Gillian, we're not against you. I'm protecting you, I seriously answer to my little girl.

- From my birth mother, she says, looking at me annoyed and upset.

- From all those ghosts who are running the streets of Mystic Falls for revenge. Your mother isn't the most appreciated vampire-being and I am not letting them hurt you just because you want to talk to her. You're my child, it's my duty to protect you, baby, I say with a serious and firm tone while still keeping a calm one. I don't want to sound harsh, but I want to sound firm at the same time for her to understand why I am doing this. It's for her well-being, for her life. Gillian stares at me, her eyes looking sad and nervous. I frown sadly and concerned to what coud have brought such a mood. Was I that hard? I bring one of my hand to her face to caress it but Gillian backs her face away. Oh... I did hurt her... Well, I protect her. I'd rather know her hurt by me and understand why I did this later, than finding her dead.

- I thought you always took me for your mother, suddenly says, Lexi to my daughter, sounding hurt. Gillian turns back to Lexi, her eyes frowning sadly.

- Lexi, I love you very much but you're not my mom. You're a mother figure in my life which I will always be so grateful for who you are and for everything you have done for us. But between my biological mom and you... It isn't the same. The feeling isn't the same, gently replies, Gillian to her aunt. I'm actually surprise Gillian didn't speak a bit more harsher... Lexi looks down as she weakly plays with the red liquid in her glass. Did I hurt you by saying that? Questions, my little girl to her aunt.

- No. No, you're right. I'm not your mother, Sweetie, answers, my dead best friend, forcing a smile to my daughter.

- No, you're not, but you'll always be the woman who raised me with my father. I won't ever forget that. I love you for everything, Aunt Lexi, answers, Gillian, placing her hand on the knee of her aunt. Lexi smiles and takes my daughter's hand in hers to squeeze it. The two of them smile at each other while I am still holding my little girl with my arms around her waist. A small moment has passed when Gillian pulls her hand away to look back at me. Dad, please, just two minutes... Pleads me, Gillian, going back to the subject about her mother.

- Gillian, please, don't make me repeat myself three times. I don't want you to go see your mother today. Once the ghosts will be gone, you can see her as much as you want to, I tell her with a slight annoyed tone mixed up with a firm one as I look away.

- Mom wouldn't let me die, dad. You know she would protect me, replies and insists, Gillian. I sigh and stay quiet as I feel myself getting upset. I don't want to get mad right now. It's just a little argument but nothing more. We have more important than fighting. I was about to look back at my daughter when this one pushes my hands away, stands up and faces Lexi and I. Dad, I love you very, very much and you know I would never disrespect you or disobey you. But you're being unfair right now, tells me, my daughter, sounding and looking disappointed by me.

- How am I being unfair? I ask her with an upset tone while frowning. Gillian crosses her arms over her chest before looking away. I stand up and get fully in front of her, frowning madly. Gillian, you look at me when I'm talking to you, I tell her sternly. Gillian reluctantly look up at me while frowning. I am your father and in case you haven't heard minutes ago or remember it. It is my duty to protect you. If I do not want you to see Katherine, you do not go see your mother. Am I clear? And do not go behind my back, Gillian, because I will get really angry and you're not going to like it, I tell her with a mad tone as I stare straightly into her eyes. Gillian lowers her head, but I rapidly grab her chin, forcing her to look back up at me. You're my child and your life matters more than you can imagine. I don't know in which language I need to tell you for you to understand this, I say before releasing her chin as I keep my mad frown. Gillian looks up at me, looking sad and mad at the same time. Her eyes are actually watering up...

- And who is protecting you against Elena? She suddenly asks me which causes me to take a step back. I didn't see that question coming... I don't get why you love her so much. After everything she has done to Uncle Damon and you, treat you like dogs and make you two fight for her idiotic and miserable self because she loved that. She had attention on herself and she loved it. She tried to kill my mom and she even tried to get rid of me hundreds of time. So, I'm sorry, but I don't get you, states, tells and reminds me, my little girl, her voice struggling to not shake. Her eyes are watering more and more.

- Gillian, you don't understand... I tell her with a more gentle tone than seconds ago.

- No, clearly I don't. You love a woman who keeps hurting our family! Maybe destroying it! What do you want? This family to be completely destroyed by her? Keep going, dad, you're on the good way, tells and asks me, my daughter with sadness and madness in her voice as her first tears roll down her face. I don't like the way she talked to me, but I guess she is right...?

- Hey! You do not get to talk to your father with that tone! He's not your friend, Gillian! So lose the attitude, says, Lexi, with a stern and mad voice, getting up as well and standing next to me. My daughter shakes her head negatively as I see new tears rolling down her face. They are tears of madness though... My daughter scoffs before she turns around staying quiet. I see her wiping her cheeks as she was about to step over Vaughn's body. However, she didn't have time to put her foot back on the ground that Vaughn suddenly revives and stands back up, knocking Gillian off on the floor. Without waiting, I rush to my daughter, grab her and bring her to the corner of the room, well across from where the vampire hunter is standing... If he thinks he will touch my child... He is so wrong...

Damon's P.O.V.

- Come on, we don't need the cure for Silas... He's a calcified statue, I remind to the two Gilbert standing in front of me before I groan uncomfortably. Oh...

- What was that? Questions, Elena to me, with a concerned tone.

- Nothing, I reply, trying to dodge the subject.

- Take off your shirt, tells me, the brunette vampire, as she steps closer to me.

- Elena, there are children present, I respond with sarcasm, glancing at Jeremy. The vampire sighs and rolls her eyes before she pulls the collar of my shirt down to reveal the wound in my shoulder. Great... I cringe in pain, looking away.

- Damon, why isn't this healed? Questions, Elena to me, sounding confused.

- Because the bullet was laced with werewolf venom, okay? The hunters are dicks, I answer to her with an annoyed tone. The Gilbert vampire stares at me with wide eyes, looking shocked and worried. Elena turns away and starts pacing down in my bedroom.

- We need Klaus. We need his blood, she says with a nervous tone while passing her hand through her hair.

- Klaus would rather see me die. Plus, Klaus is a thousand miles away sipping Hurricanes on Bourbon Street, I respond and remind her with an annoyed tone. I mean, I would be glad to have Klaus's blood to heal me but let's not have too much hope...

- That wound will kill you! exclaims, Elena, turning back to me as she looks scared and sad this time.

- What about the cure? Suddenly suggests, Jeremy. What? Elena turns to look at her baby brother for a small moment.

- Jeremy's right. If you're human, the werewolf venom won't hurt you, she states to me with a sudden relieved tone as she comes back standing right before me.

- And here I was, so moved by your speech to save mankind, I say with sarcasm to the girl. I am not taking this cure... Suddenly, I feign listening to something... No, I actually hear something from downstairs. Sounds like Vaughn's awake, I say to the brunette with a forced smile before walking past her.

- Damon, wait, she tells me with a pleading tone, but I ignore her. She won't make me change my mind... I rapidly join the living-room where I find Vaughn facing Stefan, Gillian and Lexi.

- Here, I say to the dead vampire hunter. Vaughn turns around and I tosse him the cure. He catches it and looks at it with a smile.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- The hell are you doing? Questions, my father to Uncle Damon, as the four of us look at my uncle. Dad is standing before me, an arm blocking my way to make sure I won't come in front of him.

- Digging up Silas, responds, Damon, before he turns and walks up to the front door. The dead vampire hunter glances at us for a moment, like he isn't realizing what he has in his hand. You coming, Vaughn, or not? Questions, my uncle to the dead man, not waiting for him. Vaughn rapidly follows Damon out the front door, crossing path with Kol and Meryll. Oh... I manage to push dad's arm and step up nervously. However, I rapidly feel someone grabbing my wrist to stop me. Dad... I look at my boyfriend holding two boxes while one arm is around Meryll, pushing her behind him. Kol frowns angrily at the dead man while this one is smirking at the Original vampire. Vaughn shakes his head, amused of my boyfriend's look. I squint my eyes, examining closely each of his steps, until Kol and Meryll come inside and close the front door behind them. I smile as I take my wrist off from my father's grip.

- Hey, Lil'Dove, got everything you need? I ask to the little girl while walking over to her with a smile, forgetting everything that has happened minutes ago with dad, Aunt Lexi and Vaughn.

- I just took few stuff, she answers to me as she slowly walks over to me. She still struggles... I stop few steps from her and kneel down to let her come over to me. The girl holds her arms before her so I grab them to steady her. I smile at the kid who smiles back at me.

- How's your legs, Meryll? I ask her with concern.

- They hurt but Kol said it would pass quickly, I glance over at my boyfriend who winks at me. I nod at him before glancing back at Meryll. I get back up on my feet and the little girl leans against me, her arms around my waist. I place my hand on her back as I see that she is looking around the hall. She doesn't seem to have seen dad or Lexi, yet. You live here? She asks me with a small voice, sounding a bit disoriented. Of course, this place is huge...

- It's huge, huh? I ask her with a chuckle as I run my hand in her back.

- My whole house could fit in that room, she tells me, sounding amazed this time. I let her look around the hall when I feel her stepping forward toward the living-room. I follow her slowly, helping her walk. All this time laying unconscious in a bed... That must be so complicated... Oh, hi, I'm Meryll, I suddenly hear Meryll greeting my father and Lexi as she slightly waves at them with a very shy smile. I smile when I see Lexi slowly walking over to Meryll.

- Hi, Cuttie, I'm Lexi. And this is my friend, Stefan, tells, Aunt Lexi to the little girl, while smiling at her. I look up at dad, just like Meryll, and see him waving softly at her before he slowly walks over to us. Oh... I feel Meryll moving back, looking nervous at them. She doesn't know them and there's a lot of people at once... Dad and Lexi stop moving as he saw her backing off suddenly. Meryll stares at dad for a moment before she frowns confused.

- He's your brother? You have the same eyes, she asks and states to me causing me to smile and chuckle.

- It's a bit more complicated than that. But we are related by lots of things, I answer to Meryll even though I am looking straight at my father. I see dad smiling before he looks down while weakly nodding. Would you like to see your new room? I ask to the girl who is still embracing my waist.

- Yes! Can Kol come with us? She exclaims and asks me. The two of us look behind me, finding my boyfriend standing there alone, without boxes in his hands anymore. I know someone who cheated with his speed... Where's my stuff?

- In your room, Beanie-Bear. I already brought them upstairs, answers, Kol, while coming up towards us with a smile.

- But, I didn't hear you going, exclaims, Meryll, looking and sounding confused.

- That's because I am fast, quiet and... He picks her up, holding her to his wait, strong, Meryll giggles as she holds herself onto him. Your room is upstairs. I'll carry you because I know your legs hurt, replies softly, Kol, to the little girl. I smile to the sight of them two together. Kol passes his free arm around my shoulders, bringing me closer to him. After a small moment, I pull away from Kol, but hold his hand as the two of us begin to walk toward the staircase to go show Meryll her new room. I hope she'll feel like at home. It just want her to feel well here...

Damon's P.O.V.

- Here we are, I say to Vaughn after him and I arrived to the edge of a cliff overlooking the Quarry. I am looking at the landscape, my back facing the man behind me.

- What is it? Questions, the dead vampire hunter with a confused tone.

- It's where I dumped Silas. Closed off to hikers, no food for animals, endlessly deep water, I answer to the dead man before turning to face him with a humorless smile.

- I'm not following you, Damon. Where exactly did you put the body? tells and asks me, the dead vampire hunter, while shaking his head negatively and shrugging.

- Well, um... Well, let me see. So I dragged his stone ass through here, I flung him in that general direction, then he tumbled down into those weeds... I kind of lost him in the rocks, I explain to Vaughn, using an humorously tone to explain each step I did, indicating direction as necessary. God, I'm playing him around... The thing about physics... I turn back to the dead man, facing him. Vaughn looks at me, looking annoyed and actually not believing me. Wait, what is it? It's, ah, distance equals velocity times time? Guess I should've told you to bring some scuba gear, huh? I ask and tell him with sarcasm before smirking at him. If he really thought we would have given him what he wants just like a finger snap...

Rebekah's P.O.V.

- Don't you two look cozy? Asks us, Alexander, while he circles us, smirking. Matt and I are still braced against each other, trying to not make that bomb go off. If one of us lose balance, we're dead... Alexander walks back into the trailer, leaving me with the quarterback alone for a moment.

- So... He seems nice, tells me, Matt, with a sarcastic and playful tone. I softly start to laugh but rapidly stop myself, remembering what is under our feet.

- Don't make jokes... I'll laugh and you'll fall, I say and remind to the boy with a serious tone, actually more than frightened for his life.

- I'm wearing the Gilbert ring. I can't be killed by anything supernatural, so maybe if you're the one who detonates the bomb, then I won't die, informs me, Matt, speaking in a very low voice while Alexander is still inside that RV. Now, this is suicidal...

- Absolutely not. You'll blow into a billion pieces, the ring with it, I reply to the human boy while shaking my head negatively. A bomb isn't supernatural, what is he thinking?

- There's only one way to find out, he says with a small smile, reassuring me. I stare into his ocean eyes for a moment, hesitating. Maybe... Yes, that's it! I weakly nod positively at him.

- Fine, okay. The first rule of truly living : do the thing you're most afraid of, I whisper to the quarterback, getting more and more nervous. Without waiting for him to reply, I immediately smash my lips against his, kissing him with the most passion I can give. Come on, back off... I gently push him, still kissing the boy as I get onto the explosive device. I'm doing this for him... Matt pulls away from me, weakly smiling until he remarks the little height difference compare to seconds ago. He looks down with a confused frown until remarking that I have stepped onto the device in his place.

- What are you doing? He asks me with a confused and concerned tone.

- I can't be killed and you can't miss graduation. Please, go, I reply with seriousness to the boy before pleading him to run away from this place.

- No, tells me, Matt, while shaking his head negatively.

- Run! I exclaim to him, a bit more firmly. He hesitates a second longer, glancing at the trailer at the same time before he eventually takes off running. Good... I let a breath of relief out when I hear Alexander coming back out of the trailer, angry.

- What have you done? He asks me with anger.

- I finally chose one of the good ones, I answer to the dead vampire hunter and also my ex-fiancé before I run off from the device, using my vampire speed. Only a second later after I took off both my feet, the parking lot explodes, flames ravaging and burning cars, the RV and everything around.

Gillian's P.O.V.

I walk out of Meryll's room which I set and place her across from my bedroom. I don't want her to be scared, disoriented too much or to feel alone. She doesn't know this house yet, she doesn't know anyone here... I just want her to feel at home and fine for now. Kol went out. he said he had something to get... I asked him what he needed but he didn't want to tell me. However, I did remarked him and Meryll exchanging a little smile which clearly meant she knew what he was going to do. But I'm not going to ask her what it is. If it's a surprise, I don't want to ruin it. I let Meryll adjusting to her new room and let her do whatever she wants to do for right now. I need to go get ready for the graduation which is... In an hour! I walk passed a window, glancing outside to see the sun shining... Oh... What is he doing outside... Here? I thought he was with Elena, talking to Damon. Well, when Damon was still here. That's kind of all we could heard earlier... I need to talk to him. I need to know why he ignored me last night... Why he is so angry at me? I look around, making sure Meryll isn't seeing me, before opening the window and jumping down to the front of the Boarding House. It's a shorter way...

- Jeremy? I call the boy as I see him pacing around. The boy glances at me but quickly rolls his eyes before he walks towards the front door of my home. Jer! I call him again, grabbing his hand. However, Jeremy retrieves it and walks passed me, ignoring me again. Wait, Jer... I insist, following him behind. I just want to talk. There's no need to fight or argue... Suddenly, Jeremy turns around and pushes me, making me fall backwards on my butt. Oh...

- I don't want to talk to you, he exclaims to me with anger. The boy frowns at me angrily as he looks down like I am a vulgar insect. Seriously? I get up, frowning back as well.

- Why? I don't understand why you're... I ask and tell him with a confused and hurt tone.

- I have my reasons. Leave me the hell alone, he answers before turning around and starting to walk towards the front porch again. That's not an answer...

- Jer, please... I begin to talk to him more firmly this time but stop abruptly as I know he won't stop to listen to me. I sigh before immediately rushing before him, blocking his way. What else should I have done to stop him? Talk to me, I tell him with almost a pleading tone. Jeremy shakes his head negatively while looking away. He ignores me again... At least, look at me. You haven't even looked at me since you came back, I say with a tired tone, feeling affected again. That's my problem. He was my friend and it hurts me to see him like this with me...

- Maybe because if I look at you it will be to stake you myself, he spats at my face with anger and venom, finally looking down into my eyes. Oh... I gasp shocked by his words as I look hurt at him. I take a single step back, still processing what he just said. Stake me... Why...? I can't even bring myself to talk back to him. I can't believe what you're doing to Elena. She is all alone. All by herself, grieving. She doesn't have anybody else. And all you find to do is to... Make her even more in pain? accuses me, Jeremy, while frowning with all anger. So it's my fault now? I shake my head negatively and scoff with disbelief.

- It's a joke, right? Elena has been the one making me in pain lately, I ask and respond to him, getting mad despite the pain caused by his words.

- Do I look like I'm joking? He asks me with a serious and low voice. I stare at him silently. Elena is my sister, Gillian. She comes first. It doesn't matter what she did or said to you. Family comes first. You're not family, he says and spats at my face again with all venom as he looks at me up and down. He looks so disgusted by me... Where's the boy I met two years ago? Who was there for me? Who took me discretely for one night in his bedroom because I couldn't go home? Who invited me at a ball at school because I was all alone? Who gave me the chance to talked to my ex-fiancé one last time?

- But I'm your friend. You could at least listen to my side of the story, I reply with a disbelief and serious voice as I weakly shake my head again. Even if he doesn't trust or believe me, he could at least listen to what I have to say to think about it.

- Seriously? Do I have to remind you that you snarled at me back on the island and almost fought with me because of that stupid Original? Do I have to remind you that you keep fighting with my sister who's only trying to deal with her emotions? Really? Questions, Jeremy to me, pushing me again which caused me to step back each times. He just insulted my boyfriend... I frown madly, not appreciating his words at all. You keep bringing her down! That's a shame coming from you! He tells me, insulting me in a way. Shame...

- You're doing this because you're blaming me for your sisters... Dysfunctional emotions? I ask him with a confused and disbelief tone, shaking my head negatively again. This is a joke, right? Now I am not only the problem but the cause of Elena's emotional problem as well?

- Elena isn't perfect but she hasn't tried to destroyed our family, responds, Jeremy, clearly finding me a stupid argument.

- I didn't try to destroy your family, Jeremy. Hell, I never even hurt anyone from your family, I respond to the boy with madness while frowning. I know I said "no need to fight or argue", but I hate when people take me for a fool.

- But your mother did. Katherine hurt and destroyed my family so it is like it is you who have done it, he answers with hate, pointing at me roughly.

- This is nonsense and completely unfair, I reply while shaking my head again.

- Is it? He immediately asks me. Katherine cut our Uncle John's fingers before stabbing him, almost killing him. She compelled my aunt Jenna to kill herself. She used to "work" with Isobel before this one got herself set on fire. She passed for Elena more than once and manipulated us like a bitch. She killed me! What more do you need as a proof? reminds me, Jeremy, speaking more and more loudly as he gets very angry. I can actually see the veins popping on his neck and forehead.

- You're Uncle John killed himself to save Elena's life because he was her biological father. Your aunt Jenna died because Elena was the main "object" for Klaus to become a full Hybrid. Isobel set herself on fire because of Elena and Klaus. You died because everyone wanted that damn cure for Elena. Everything goes back to your sister, not me, Jeremy! I remind him and correct him seriously while speaking as loud as he did. I hate this! It actually hurts to fight with him...

- And all the time she has been passing for Elena? Was it also because of my sister? He asks me. I open my mouth but no words come out of it. Right... I stay silent before him as I look away, tears coming up in my eyes. This is unfair... No mater what I say, he won't change his mind. It makes me mad! Are you seriously crying right now? Are you trying to make me feel bad for what I said? Because it actually makes me even more angry. I actually restrain myself from stacking you... asks and tells me, Jeremy, his voice sounding harsh as he clearly stops himself from hurting me. I can see his hands beginning to shake out of anger as he closes his fists tightly.

- I mourned you... I say calmly, interrupting him. Jeremy stops for a moment, staring at me. I mourned you for a whole day and a bit more when you died. I did gave support to Elena when we came back at Mystic Falls. I did put every misunderstanding aside with your sister at your death, I admit to him seriously, tears rolling down my cheeks one by one. Jeremy's frown slowly softens as he looks down this time. Did I actually make him think twice about this? I often thought about you. Kol and I even paid our respect to you... I continue to confess to him. However, his softened frown suddenly goes back into a dark one, like what just happened didn't happened.

- Don't even mention that useless psychopath. His place is in a coffin with a White Oak stake through his heart, spats again, Jeremy, as he interrupts me. New tears roll down my face as I scoff at him. I just admit him the truth about how I felt and what I did for Elena despite everything she has done to me, and we are still the bad ones?

- Why have you become so cruel? I ask him with a hurt tone while shaking negatively my head.

- Kol is a piece of trash. If we're here it is because of him too. He tried to cut my arms off. He tried to kill Elena too, reminds me, Jer, pointing at the front door with his finger.

- Well, you tried to kill him too. He defended himself and tried to not woke up Silas. You can't blame him for that, I respond, taking my boyfriend's defense as my voice is suddenly shaking.

- Well, I do. Just like I blame your mother and you! You three should be gone! Literally... he answers, approaching me closer. He stares into my eyes with darkness and hate. That reminds me. Even if you die or not, it won't change much since you were not even supposed to be born, he spats at my face one last time, speaking with a very low and threatening voice. I shake my head with a hurt expression as I feel my lips shaking. I lower my head as tears stream down my face. It hurts so much... I hear Jeremy chuckling when he shoves me with his shoulder, pushing me out of his way. I stumble but don't move. I quietly sob, letting my back facing the boy when I suddenly hear him groaning in pain followed by a thud. What? I turn around, confused, when I see Kyle standing over Jer's body. By the way Jer holds his face, I'm guessing Kyle just punched him. I didn't know ghosts could bleed...

- Next time I'm killing you, Gilbert, I'm not joking. Who the hell do you this you are? You think you can come back to your weak sister and attack Gillian at the same time? Wrong move, kid, wrong move, tells and asks, Kyle to Jeremy while speaking at him with a raging tone. He's fine... Of course he is. He can't die anymore and he was a vampire.

- Do you think I am scared of you, man? Questions back, Jeremy, getting up rapidly while challenging Kyle.

- Come on, go back to bed before getting hurt... Begins to tell, Kyle, when Jeremy throws himself at him. However, Kyle moves and holds Jeremy's arm in his back, twisting it. Jer groans in pain as its arm is at the limit to break. Ghosts fight... Are you done now? Jer doesn't answer and groans again. After a small moment, Kyle pushes Jer away towards the door. I don't want to see you near her again, Gilbert. You're just like that Thing that cannot even deal with herself, that is your sister. Sorry for your ass... Nipper, tells, Kyle to the boy, before he turns around and starts to walk towards me. I haven't move, I haven't talk but I saw the whole scene. Angry, Jer goes inside the Boarding House, leaving us alone. Tears are still rolling down my face as I try to plaster a smile on it. Kyle smiles back at me before he opens his arms wide to embrace me. If I see one more tear rolling down your face, I am doing a scandal in your home, he says with a playful tone while hugging me tightly against him. I touch him...

- I'm so sorry, Kyle. I... I'm so sorry for what happened to you, I tell him through my tears while holding him against me as well. I pull away from my best friend to look up at him. I kind of forgot how tall he is... Kol told me what you did... Saving him. That was very brave. Thank you, I say and thank him truthfully. Kyle smiles kindly at me before he gently wipes my tears away.

- I did things I'm not proud of, Foxy. I was a dick to you sometimes and I lied to you, I sort of manipulated you... I am very bad best friend, aren't I? He apologizes and tells me with a small playful tone while smiling. I chuckle through my tears, smiling.

- Terrible. But you're also the best, I reply while feeling him wiping my tears again. I know Kyle has his temper and his character but, what he did for Kol and me... I'll never forget it. And he kind of showed me a world that I didn't know, just like Aunt Lexi did with dad. I miss you, Kyle, I whisper while sniffling sadly. My dead best friend slowly brings me back against him before he kisses the side of my head.

- I'm glad you are with Kol. You deserve all the love of this world and he is giving it to you, he tells me with a serious voice as I feel him stroking my hair. I forgot how he can be so sensitive sometimes...

- Is that the strong Kyle Powel talking or... I say with a joking tone which caused the both of us to laugh.

- No, it' the best friend/big brother talking right now, he answers while pulling away to look into my eyes. I miss you too, Foxy. The Other Side is lonely and dark. You see and hear everything but that's all you got to do, he tells me with a serious, yet, slight sad tone. I frown sadly but stay silent before him. I heard you're graduating again today. How does it feel to be smart? he says and asks with a playful smirk.

- Excuse me? I am smarter than you, genius. I have graduated before, me, I answer with a joking tone, making the both of us to laugh again. Kyle holds both his hands up in surrender, nodding at the same time. I have to go get ready but maybe you could come watch me graduate? So we could spend some time together before you... I propose to him but don't finish my sentence. I don't want to say the words. I look down for a second, frowning sadly.

- Disappear again. You can say the words, it's okay. It's the reality, he gently replies to me, smiling warmly. I would have loved to, but I have few things to do, Foxy, he tells me with a small sorry tone. I nod and put on a very small smile on my face.

- Well, will I see you again before you go? I ask him immediately, sounding scared to not see him again. Kyle stares at me for a moment before he smiles again.

- Of course. I am not leaving a second time without a goodbye, he tells me with a reassuring tone. I nod and faintly smile again. I just hope we will say goodbye this time... Come on, go get ready, Foxy. I want you at your best when you'll receive that diploma, he tells me with a gentle voice while moving aside to let me pass. I smile at him before snaking my arms one last time around his torso. Kyle answers to my hug, his arms passing and tightening around me. None of us say a word and stay like this for a moment. I slowly pull away and give him one last look and smile before I rush back inside my home. I'm so not happy right now...

Elena's P.O.V.

- We have to do something. If those hunters give the cure to Silas... I say to Stefan with a very nervous tone while pacing left to right before him in the living room.

- They're not giving it to Silas. Wherever Damon is taking Vaughn right now, it's to stall, because Damon hasn't had time to bury Silas' body yet, answers seriously, the vampire to me, which got me to stop pacing. And that's all you need to know right now.

- Okay, fine. We're stalling the hunters, but Damon is still dying, I reply to him, unable to take that problem out of my head. It is out of question that I am losing Damon...

- It was one bullet, and it was only laced. We still have a little bit of time. I will go to New Orleans myself and I will beg Klaus if I have to, responds calmly and seriously, Stefan, while staring at me deep in the eyes. I sigh, hating this powerless feeling that I am feeling right now. Why is everything so complicated?

- Then it's settled, I suddenly hear Jeremy. I turn around, seeing him carrying my red cap and gown. What...? You're going to your graduation, he tells me with a smile.

- Gradua... No, Jer, I never even sent in my college applications, I reply to my dead baby brother while shaking my head negatively.

- I don't care. Mom and Dad would kill you if there wasn't a photo of you in your graduation getup, he tells me with a serious, yet, small playful tone in his voice as he smiles at me.

- Jer, no. Not if you can't be there, I insist, still shaking my head left to right.

- Lexi'll keep me company. You're going, he says, still smiling at me. Lexi... I smile back at him before finally relenting. I walk over to him to take my red cap and gown from his hands. The two of us smile at each other as we stare into our eyes.

- Let's go graduate, I say with a smile before chuckling excited about this moment.

- Yeah, hum... I need to go see Gillian first, tells us, Stefan, as he begins to move toward the hall to go to the staircase. Oh, I forgot about her for a moment...

- I think she is too busy with the Kyle guy to go graduate, answers, Jeremy, speaking with madness when he mentions Kyle and Gillian. Stefan stops and looks at us, frowning upset.

- Mmh... We'll join you there, he says, insisting to go see his daughter, before he runs up the stairs, leaving us together. Unbelievable...

Stefan's P.O.V.

I walk up the staircase leading myself toward Gillian's bedroom. I don't know what happened between Jeremy and her, but it is different than last night. They clearly had a talk and it clearly didn't go well... I didn't like the way he talked when he mentioned my baby girl... He sounded just like Elena and I don't need my little girl's day to turn into a nightmare. When we will be home after the graduation, Kol is supposed to do his big moment. I don't want anything happening to ruin it. My little girl will have the most perfect moment like she deserves. I arrive at the top of the stairs and walk up to the end of the hall. Oh... She's not here... Her cap and gown are on her bed though. She should arrive soon. I step out of her bedroom and look around while leaning against the door frame. Oh... Across the hall and not too far from Gillian's room, a door is slightly opened as light is coming out of it. I weakly frown before walking over to it. I slowly push it opened, discovering the little girl laying on her stomach on the floor while drawing. That sight is so familiar... Gillian used to do the same thing when she was a kid. I weakly smile, staring at Meryll a little longer while remembering few of my favorite moments of my own daughter when she was a kid. She hasn't heard me yet... I clear my throat and knock at the same time, causing the 8 years old girl to look up at me with surprised.

- Hey, do you remember me? I'm... I gently tell her with a kind smile.

- Stefan. You're Gillian's family, softly says, Meryll, interrupting me with a shy smile. All while talking, the girl pointed at her eyes to mention the similar green I have with Gillian's ones.

- Yes, that's me, I reply while nodding and smiling back at her. A small silence takes place between us for a small moment while Meryll nervously plays with the marker in her hand. Can I come in? I suddenly ask her. Quietly, the girl nods positively as she looks down shyly. I smile and step in to go sit next to her. I can see her fear as she faintly moves aside. I slowly sit down, keeping a small distance to not frighten her too much. What are you drawing? I ask her as I look at the piece of paper on the floor.

- It's for Gillian because... She begins to tell me but stops herself suddenly. She stares into my eyes for a moment before giggling and covering her mouth for a second. I can't tell you. Kol told me to keep it a secret, she whispers before placing one finger in front of her mouth.

- Ah. Then, if it's a secret, don't tell me, I say with a smile while nodding understandingly. Meryll goes back to her drawing. I look around the room, scanning all her stuff. It's not much and most of them are still in boxes. Is that all your stuff? I ask her gently. There's a violin near the window...

- Yes, she answers before looking up at me again. I stare at the instrument, cracking a smile. She does remind me so much of my baby... Do you play an instrument? She suddenly asks me.

- I play the piano, I answer sincerely, glancing at her. The kid nods as she smiles shyly again. Do you play? I ask her while pointing at the violin near the window.

- Yes, I play violin. But I'm still only a beginner, she responds, lightly shrugging at the same time.

- That's a hard instrument to play, I reply with a small smile, sounding impressed.

- It's okay. I manage to make sound coming out of it, she answers, speaking like playing this instrument was no big deal. But only few people can actual create a sound from it. It's very hard... Gillian said she won't hurt me, she suddenly tells me, changing the subject. I look down at her, frowning confused. Did she lie?

- If there is one thing that Gillian doesn't do, it's lying. Gillian just want your best, I truthfully respond to Meryll, staring into her eyes to show her me seriousness. The little human girl stares at me for a moment before she looks down at her drawing.

- You speak like my mom when she was still alive, she says with a sad tone. I frown sadly, looking down at the drawing as well. Right... Her mom... You sound like a parent, she then tells me, smiling with a comforting smile like she seems to appreciate my way of speaking.

- Well, you'll understand later, I whisper to her, smiling at her. Meryll looks confused but shakes her head before going back to her drawing. I look at what she is doing for a moment when I suddenly hear someone rushing in the corridor. Meryll, didn't hear anything. I can tell it because she didn't even look up or stopped drawing. I'm guessing Gillian is back from outside... I let you finish your secret drawing. I need to go do few things, I say while getting up and walking toward the bedroom door. If you need anything and you don't find Gillian or Kol in this huge house you come to me, okay? Or you just talk loudly for us to hear you, I tell her gently. The girl looks up at me and smiles while nodding understandingly. I smile back and wink at her before leaving her bedroom, pulling lightly the door like I found it minutes ago. I walk up to Gillian's bedroom to find my little girl pacing around as she seems lost in what she is doing... She actually seems sad...

Gillian's P.O.V.

- Lilou, are you ready? I hear my dad asking me while he slowly walks in. What was I doing again? Oh, my brush right... Where did I put it? I don't answer to my father's question and continue to pace around as I look for my brush. I thought I put it there this morning... Gillian, calls me, dad, but I ignore him again. I don't do it on purpose, I just... There's Kol gone doing what he needs to do since few hours, Jeremy threatening me with all hate and venom he could spat at me, Kyle fighting and soon disappearing along with Aunt Lexi and Uncle Ric, all the bad supernatural people who are back to life are taking chances to do their revenge, mom is... Somewhere and I took Meryll under my wing... What's next? What more is to come? Will I even be able to handle it? Gillian, talk to me... I shake my head negatively while passing my hand through my hair as I feel my lips shaking. I can't handle it... Hey, what's wrong? asks me, dad, while coming up towards me. He tries to put his hand on my shoulder but I back away. Lilou, baby, you're hurt. I know you're hurt. I see it, I feel it. Talk to me, he says with a serious, concerned, calmly and gently. I stare at him with my watering up eyes, already seeing blurry. My lips shake more and more so I cover my mouth. Meryll... She can't hear me crying... Gillian... Calls me, dad, again as I see him slowly walking over to me. However, I move faster than him and crash into his arms. My father holds me immediately tightly against him, running his hand in my back. Gillian...

- I need you to hold me, I whisper with a shaky voice, hiding my head into his chest. I sob, trying to not cry to loudly as I don't want Meryll to hear me. I know she is in the room next door. Don't stop holding me, daddy. Please... I cry into his chest as I feel him tightening his embrace around me.

- Hey, I'm here, baby, I'm here. I am with you, Honey. I am always by your sides, he whispers sweetly, rocking us left to right, while making sure I feel his embrace. I sniffle sadly before pulling away from his chest. I look up at my father, seeing him frowning sadly. He softly wipes my cheeks as I breathe shakily. Want to tell me what happened, Sweetie? He asks me softly, his thumb caressing my cheeks.

- I just lost a friend which... Counted deeply for me despite our arguments and my best friend will be gone by the end of the day again along with... My uncle and my aunt. I am going to lose them all again and it hurts me. Adding the graduation and Meryll under my wing and... I'm just overwhelmed again and... I tell him, my voice breaking and shaking more and more as tears roll down my face. Dad shushes me softly, calming me down like he always does. He places his forehead against me, always shushing me softly. I quietly sob and take a deep breath. That's it. It'll pass, I tell him in a whisper with a sad and overwhelmed sigh.

- Lost a friend? He asks me, repeating my words. I nod positively. Kyle? He asks me, concerned since he knows we used to be best friends. I shake head negatively, closing my eyes as tears stream down my face. Dad places his hands on my arms, rubbing my right one. Jeremy certainly didn't mean whatever he said, he answers, understanding who I was talking about. I re-open my eyes to look at him, sniffling sadly as a new tear rolls down my face. As for Uncle Ric and Aunt Lexi, they'll never truly be gone. They'll be here, he says while pointing at my heart, and here, he says pointing at my head. Memories are what makes those people gone, still alive, I nod to his words as I look down. But don't bother your mind with what Jeremy said. It certainly was just anger talking...

- Oh, he did, dad, he did. Trust me, he even weighted his words well before spatting like that at my face. It was even a luck that Kyle was there to comfort me a bit because I wasn't... I say in a high whisper but I don't finish my sentence as I look away, my lips shaking again. This is so choking... I don't want to think about it anymore. I'm not supposed to cry today. It should be a happy and memorable moment... I begin to move, stepping aside to walk passed dad. However, he stops me, rushing before me to block my way.

- We're not leaving this bedroom until you tell me what Jeremy said to you, he suddenly tells me with a serious and concerned tone.

- We're going to miss our umpteenth graduation, I reply, avoiding his eyes. I don't care about graduating again. It's not that I don't want to talk, but I don't want to remind what he said to me. It hurts...

- It'll wait. Your emotions and your well-being matter most to me, he answers seriously, passing gently his hand through my curly hair. I look up into his eyes, seeing the concern and the protectiveness in them. I breath shakily, lowering my head.

- Have you ever wished for me to never be born? I ask him, avoiding his eyes again.

- Did Jeremy said... he begins to say with an upset tone.

- Just answer the question, please, I immediately reply, meeting his eyes with tears in mines again. Dad stares at me for a moment, seeing the seriousness in my question. Dad grabs my hands in his and kneels before me. Oh... When he does this, he is pretty serious and sincere about what he is going to say.

- Gillian, I have never wished nor even think of you to never be born. You know that. You know that even though you were not supposed to be born, you're still my greatest treasure and my greatest proudness. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change anything, he says with a calm serious voice, squeezing softly my hands in his while his thumbs are caressing the back of them.

- Even meeting mom? I ask in a whisper, breathing shakily again.

- Katherine gave me what I live for every days. Of course, I'll meet her again to have this amazing, beautiful, strong, talented and intelligent baby that she gave me, he tells me truthfully. I nod understandingly as new tears roll down my face. I'm tired of crying... What did Jeremy tell you, Sweetie?

- That he blames me for Elena's dysfunctional emotions, that he is angry at me for fighting and arguing with his sister, that... That everything that has happened to his family is my fault, that he cannot look at me because if he does he would... He would... He said he would drive a stake through my heart and that even if I die or not, it would be the same since I wasn't supposed to be born, I recount to my father with an emotional and affected tone as I squeeze his hands back this time. One of dad's hand leave mine to wipe my cheeks gently.

- I'm sorry, baby. But everything he said is wrong. None of these are true. It's just... Anger speaking for him, he tells me gently and seriously, trying to reassure and comfort me. I nod again as I look down before actually kneeling down in front of him as well.

- I mourned him, daddy... I even paid my respect to him despite our arguments... But he didn't care... I reply to my father with a sad and affected voice. Dad weakly nods understandingly when I suddenly see him getting up. He pulls me back which I let him do before he leads us to my bed. Dad sits down next to my red cap and gown, bringing onto his lap. His arms are around my waist as mines are around his neck.

- I do not want you to blame yourself, Lilou, because it wasn't your fault. Okay? Jeremy is an idiot for what he said. And he is an even bigger idiot for not remarking what a great friend he just lost, tells me, my father, while staring into my eyes. An idiot... Right... What I want you to do is to put it up together, get that diploma for the 12th time and, he says while I look at him grabbing my cap, have a good day, he tells me, placing it on my head. I smile at him which causes dad to smile back. Aunt Lexi is back, Uncle Ric is back, Kyle is back... You don't need Jeremy, baby. And you don't need to worry about them being gone again, I lose my smile, looking down again. However, dad places his finger under my chin, forcing me to look back up. Just circle yourself with people that loves you for who you are and who supports you no matter what, he sincerely whispers to me, eye to eye. I faintly smile again while staying quiet for a moment.

- It doesn't really matter if I get it or not. It isn't the first time I graduate anyway. And I prefer spending time with Aunt Lexi and Uncle Ric before they leave, I reply to my father while weakly shaking my head negatively.

- Maybe it doesn't matter to you, but even though it is the 12th time that you graduate, I still want you up there to receive your diploma. And you know why? he says and asks me gently, smiling kindly to me. I shake my head negatively, frowning confused. Because even though you have done this 11th times before, I am still as proud as I was the first time I saw you graduating, he admits to me with a very proud tone while stroking my hair. Dad slides down the whole length of my hair until playing with the tip of it.

- Are you going to cry today? I ask him with a small smirk. I know dad gets emotional at events like this.

- I never cry, you know that, he responds to me, clearly lying.

- You're a bad liar, dad, I reply while giggling. My father smiles at me, before he takes off my cap and brings me against him. I hide my head into the crook of his neck, the two of us enjoying this hug for a little longer.

- I talked with Meryll a bit before coming to see you, he whispers into my ear while still holding me protectively against him. She reminds me of you when you were her age, he says which causes me to pull away to look at him.

- Really? I ask with a surprised tone. Dad nods positively, smiling.

- I can't believe that this little girl that you were goes back to 137 years ago. You were so sweet, so pretty, so kind and so intelligent for your age. The perfect little girl to my eyes. And you still are all this. Even more if you want my opinion. But you're also so brave, so strong, so fearless... I love you, Lilou. Always, he tells me with a loved and proud tone while his eyes are scanning my face and his right hand is playing with my hair. I gently smile at him before leaning in, kissing his cheek. My father is so amazing. I would never wish for a better father...

- I love you too so much, daddy, I reply before getting up from his lap. I grab my gown to put it on before holding his hands and pulling him up from my bed while smiling. Come on, let's go get our diploma, I tell him as I grab my cap on my bed. I see my father smiling as I am the one pulling him toward the door of my bedroom. Oh wait, is my make-up ruined? I ask him suddenly, turning around to show him my face. Dad chuckles before kissing my cheek. I take that as a no, I say while smiling before turning back around. Meryll... I need to tell her I am coming back. I approach her door as we walk next to it and knock on it. Dad seems to have anticipated my move because he actually stopped next to me. I push the door and discover Meryll searching through one of her boxes. Hey, Lil'Dove, I smile at her. Meryll smiles back at me before she comes up to me.

- Hey, Lilly, she smiles back at me, embracing me. I release dad's hand to snake my arms around her shoulders. Why are you wearing that? It's very... Red, she tells me, backing off to have a better look. Meryll lightly frowns confused, not liking much what I am wearing. I giggle.

- I have to go get my diploma, Meryll. This is my cap and gown, I explain to her while showing her my clothes.

- You're leaving? She asks me with a nervous tone. As I stare into her eyes, it seems like she thinks I am not coming back.

- But I'll be back in an hour or two. Don't worry, I am not leaving you alone here. Beside, I am going to ask to Lexi to come watch and play with you. You'll see she's funny, I tell her with a smile, comforting her at the same time. Meryll cracks a smile and weakly nods before looking down. Hum... I glance at my father for some help. Right when dad was about to say something, I see Lexi coming in, smiling.

- How about a hide and seek? Or we could go outside play with a ball? Or maybe we could put on music very loudly and dance crazy all around, what do you say, Meryll? Proposes, Lexi, while walking over to the little girl and kneeling before her. Meryll looks up at me for a moment, unsure. I smile at her and nod positively, pushing her to go with Lexi. She looks back at Lexi who is still smiling at her. Meryll smiles back at Lexi before nodding. I smile and glance up at dad who winks at me. One thing surely and rightly done...

Caroline's P.O.V.

- "Klaus, now is not the time to decide that you are over me. I'm gonna call you every ten minutes until you get your ass here to save Damon's life.", I say through the phone, leaving a voicemail to that Original Hybrid that decided to leave our town for good after making us all live a living hell for quite a moment. He can't do that like that! Who does it? I hang up, upset as I reach Bonnie and Elena arriving together. At least they are here. But few people are still missing... The three of us are wearing our red cap and gown, pacing left to right while waiting the others to arrive. Students are milling about the football field getting ready for the ceremony to start. This should be a big day... Our big day. We should all be here, happy, smiling and excited. Where is everyone? I ask to my friends with an upset tone as I look around for any sign of them approaching us.

- I'm here, I hear Matt saying in my back, sounding breathless. I spin around immediately, seeing Matt out of breath.

- Where have you been? I ask him with a confused tone and frown.

- Oh, you know, making plans for the summer, dodging death by vampire hunter, he answers in a whisper, faintly smiling at us three.

- Where's Gillian? We can't do this without her, I ask and reply as I look around again. In the corner of my eye, I saw Elena rolling her eyes as she looked away while shaking her head negatively. I cross my eyes with Bonnie, the witch shrugging and discretely motioning me to let it go. Right... That is still upsetting how Elena treats Gillian.

- I'm here, I suddenly hear the familiar voice of my best friend. I turn around again, seeing Gillian coming up towards us followed by Stefan behind her. I smile brightly at her, opening my arms wide. Gillian runs up to me, and the two of us embrace each other, laughing. I couldn't miss my 12th graduation and your first one, could I? tells us, Gillian, smiling at everyone, even Elena. Oh... Elena quietly scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. However, when Stefan joins my best friend's sides, she suddenly smiles at him. Fake much?

- I can't believe it. We're actually all here. We are all here together! I say with an excited tone, Gillian and me still side hugging. Everyone in the circle laughs quietly at me, amused of my excitement. I glance at our witch after hearing her sniffling. Bonnie Bennett, are you crying? I ask her with a very slight mocking tone.

- It's our last hurrah before you guys go off to college, responds, Bonnie, with a nostalgic tone.

- Before we go off to college, I correct her with a kind smile.

- I... Kinda sorta missed the deadline. You know, being an emotionless bitch, replies, Elena, speaking with a sorry and embarrassed tone while she glances at everyone... Almost everyone. I hear Gillian quietly clearing her throat as she looks down. Right... Things are clearly cold between them. I glance up at Stefan, seeing the annoyed and upset expression on his face.

- Well, the perks of being a vampire... We can go wherever we wanna go. We can choose our own roommates. We could... We could get a quadruple room! I reply to everyone, trying to keep the positive vibe in this circle. Elena, Stefan, Matt and Gillian chuckle at my enthusiasm again, while Bonnie smiles with tears in her eyes.

- Not gonna happen, we suddenly all hear Gillian and Elena saying at the same time. Right, quadruple room was probably not the best idea...

- I'm happy we're all here, says, Bonnie, with a happy and emotional voice.

- Aw... Group hug! I say, opening my arms wide while smiling brightly.

- Ah, I don't... I don't hug... begins to say, Stefan, starting to step back.

- Shh, you give the best hug, dad. Come on, replies, Gillian, grabbing his hand and pulling him back in the circle. Stefan smiles, giving up to his daughter's comment. The six of us close in for a joint hug, laughing to this exciting moment.

Mayor Hopkins's P.O.V.

- Welcome parents, family, and friends. What a beautiful day for a graduation, I say through the microphone, standing on the podium in the middle of the school field as I open the ceremony. Students, parents and and friends are all applauding and smiling as they are facing me. Thank you for joining us today on this special day, as we celebrate our graduates. So let's get started, I say with a smile before looking down at the list to begin to call each students. John Albrecht, the boy comes up the podium, smiling happily. I hand him his diploma and shake hand with him before going to the next teen. David Bance, the next boy comes up to receive his diploma and shakes hand with me as well. Sarah Beasley, I do the same again with the girl, smiling to the excitement in those teen's eyes. Ahh, my favorite and my pride... Um, not to play favorites, but I am especially proud of this next graduate, my lovely daughter : Bonnie Bennett! I call my little girl... Well, she isn't so little anymore. Bonnie walks up onto the stage, smiling. We embrace each other under the crowd applause. Congratulations. I'm so proud of you, sweetie, I whisper into her ear with an extreme proud tone.

- Thanks, Dad, she thanks me with a sincere tone and smiles after pulling away from me.

- You're welcome, I reply to my baby. She's all grown up now... What a woman she will still become.

- For everything, she replies, nodding positively at me. Oh... I frown confused, sensing that something is off. Maybe it's just the moment, the emotions and all? Bonnie smiles one last time at me before she leaves the stage. Right, next student...

- Savannah Davis, I call the next student, giving her her diploma. Matt Donovan, the boy comes up on the podium and I shake hand with him. William Duncan, I hand the next diploma to the boy before going back to the list. Caroline Forbes, the blonde girl comes up on the podium, smiling brightly and with excitement. Congratulations, I congratulate my daughter's best friend, shaking hand with her.

- Thank you, she thanks me, her eyes sparkling with joy. I smile at her before going back to the list.

- Matt Freeman, I call the next student. I hand a diploma to the boy, shake hand with him as well before he leaves the stage. Elena Gilbert, the brunette girl comes up the stage, smiling. Congratulations, I congratulate her as well as all the other students, shaking hand with the teen girl. Her parents would be so proud of her...

- Thank you, she thanks me, chuckling excited.

Gillian's P.O.V.

This moment brings so many good memories... My very first graduation, dad proud eyes and smile, the way he looks at me and applause for me... Just the proud father he can be. The moments shared with my friends, the excitement, the joy... The end of a life and the beginning of a new world... Doing this again with dad... Everything! I listen to Mayor Hopkins calling each Senior students that are graduating, going on the podium one by one to be congratulated by the man. I loved how he looked at Bonnie when he called his daughter. He was so proud of her... It was beautiful to watch. There is still quite few students before me and all are clearly impatient to receive their diploma. I can't blame them. We should all be doing this at least once in our life... I look around to see if I can find Kol or mom standing or sitting on the school field. But I can't see them... I lightly frown sadly as I continue to look around. Did they forget? Do they have an impediment? In the corner of my eye, I see my father looking at me with a concerned look. Yes, dad is standing right behind me... I look up at him while lightly shrugging. Dad frowns confused at me before he quickly glances around the field. However, he doesn't seem to understand why I am reacting like this. He looks back down at me, weakly shaking his head confused. I shake my head as well and faintly smile at him. Discretely, I step slowly backward until my back collides with my father's chest. Dad passes one arm around my waist, holding me, before he rests his head on top of mine. I let my whole body resting against him, while smiling.

- So, I hope you know I am about to scream your name like the proud father that I am, he whispers in my ear, making me chuckling.

- Do that and I burn your car in the garage, I whisper back playfully to my father while chuckling.

- You wouldn't dare, he says playfully, yet, kind of taking me serious.

- Are you daring me, father? I ask him in a very low whisper, smirking. I look up at dad, seeing him staring at me with a smile because of how I called him. Father... It's been so long since I called him like that... Yet, I know he loves it when I do it. Dad kisses my cheek before he pulls away. It's almost our turn...

Bonnie's P.O.V.

- Greetings, little witch, I hear the voice of a man behind me. Mmh... I don't know that voice, but I am pretty sure this person is none other than that Kyle guy. Come on, I was peacefully sitting among the students, clapping my hands for the teens receiving their diploma until he came...

- I thought Stefan got rid of you, I tell him in a whisper, not turning around to look at him.

- He did, and I spent the night crawling out of a cement grave. But it's okay, I'm not mad at him. After all those years I've been knowing him. I can let that little incident pass, he tells me in my ear, actually not sounding mad or revengeful. Isn't that the witch your friend Caroline killed? He suddenly asks me. What? I turn around to see not only his face for the first time, but also seeing Aja sitting in the back row, the witch who was supposed to get me "better"... That's not right... That's... And all those humans around us... And over there, that's my hybrid friend, Adrian, he says, briefly pointing at the next row sit. I turn my head and see a man, looking at all the students carefully. No... Also dead. In fact, these seats are scattered with two dozen supernatural faces, all of whom have reason to lash out since their lives were sacrificed in order to make your Expression triangle. All they're waiting on is word from me, tells me, Kyle, with a serious and threatening tone while he stares at me.

- The veil goes back up tonight. Don't you have anything better to do than harass me and my friends? I remind and question him with a mad tone while half facing him. Kyle smiles and laughs at me, but quickly stops.

- Well, that's the thing. I don't want the veil to go back up. In fact, I want you to drop it completely, so I and my fallen friends can live, Bonnie. It's time to pay the piper, he tells me with a serious voice, squinting his eyes to show me his seriousness. Right...

Kyle's P.O.V.

- The Kyle I've heard about saved Kol's life just for his best friend to have the life she wants and deserves. I don't see why you're doing this because it will clearly take away that life that you sort of gave her by dying, tells me, the Bennett witch, with a serious voice after her and I entered the boiler room down in the school.

- I did and I'll do it again if I have to. But where I was, was too... Out of life. I was in Hell. Now I would very much like to be back on earth, I reply to the witch with a smirk while she faces me, keeping her distance. And since I know quite few things about magic and witches, I tell her. Thanks to Marcel and making work with witches. God, I don't miss school... I look down, noticing something on the floor. A body... Wait... What's this? I ask to Bonnie with an upset tone.

- It's me. I died last night. I'm a ghost, and I want the same thing you want. I don't want to be on the Other Side with unfinished business. I want my parents to see me off to college, I want to decorate my dorm room with my best friends. I want to stay here, Kyle. More than anything, replies sincerely and seriously, Bonnie Bennett to me, as we stare at each other.

- Then what are we waiting for? Let's do it together, I ask her before starting to come over to her, holding my hand up for her to take it. However, I rapidly stop stepping up, as though an invisible wall stands between us. This is a joke? What have you done? I ask to the witch with a mad tone. I turn around and try to leave through the door we came in, but again I am blocked by the magical barrier. No!

- This will hold you till dark. Then, when the veil is back up, this town will be rid of you for good, she tells me with seriousness, not an ounce of compassion for me.

- But everything you just said... I begin to say with an upset and confused tone.

- It was true. But we don't always get what we want, do we? tells me, Bonnie, while she shakes her head negatively. Right... Wait, no I can't stay here...

- No, you can't keep me in here. I promised my best friend that I would be there for her before disappearing again if I was meant to go again. I promised Kol I'll be at the Boarding House soon! I say and almost scream at the witch with a serious and still upset tone as I see her starting to leave. Bonnie! I shout this time, banging on the invisible shield.

- I hope you said you're goodbyes. She'll get over you, replies, the witch to me, before definitely leaving the boiler room. No! Gillian, I'm so sorry...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I am slowly walking through those corridors of the school, alone, as I examine each angles of this building. This is probably the last time I will come here... So many things have happened here. Good things like bad things. I met good people, like I fought with bad people. And Uncle Ric's classroom... I stop in the middle of a hall, my head turned to the left as I stare into the history class. This is where Ric used to sit and teach... I crack a small and sad smile before letting a breathe out.

- Red suits you well, I suddenly hear a voice from behind me as heels are clapping on the floor. What...? I turn around, seeing none other than my mother. It brings out your beautiful green eyes, Little Fang, she compliments me, smiling brightly.

- Mom! I exclaim before crashing myself into her arms. I hear my mother laughing surprised as she embraces me back. I didn't know you were here. I thought you were gone... Away... Far, I say with a confused, yet, a very happy tone. Mom laughs as the two of us are holding each other's hands.

- I told you I would come watch you at your graduation, she says, reminding me her words. That's true...

- Wait, you saw me getting my diploma? I ask her with a confused and surprised tone while smiling with hope.

- Well, I was hidden but yes, I did. I was waiting excited for Mayor Hopkins to call your name, Baby. I'm so proud of you, she congratulates and compliments me again as I feel my mom squeezing my hands. Excited, I laugh again as I feel my eyes watering up. I won't cry, but it's just joy submerging me right now. It's the first time that mom assisted to me receiving my diploma... It means a lot.

- Thank you, mom, I thank her, bringing her back into a hug again. I'm so happy that you're here. It means a lot to me, I admit to her, holding so tightly onto her. Mom pulls her head away and places a tender kiss onto my cheek.

- I wouldn't miss it for anything, she whispers in my ear with a proud tone.

Damon's P.O.V.

Vaughn and I are still at the edge of the cliff. I don't know how long we have been here but I can definitely feel the venom rushing through my veins. And say Gillian went through this twice... This is actually Hell. Vaughn has his gun aimed at me as he carefully looks down into the Quarry. Argh, this fever... It makes me feel weak, like all my energy is slowly leaving my body.

- What's wrong, laddie? Can't swim? I ask to the dead vampire hunter, imitating his accent to mock him. Vaughn looks back at me, frowning annoyed when he suddenly seems to notice something. My neck... I can feel my wound creeping it up as the venom kills me more and more.

- The hell happened to you? Questions, the man, with a confused tone. I look down at my neck the best I can, acting like I don't know.

- Oh. Well, would you look at that. That is nasty, I say with fake confused and concerned tone.

- Connor... whispers, Vaughn, while looking at his gun closely and laughing. He must've laced these bullets with werewolf venom, tells me, Vaughn, smirking.

- Ding-ding-ding. Not as dumb as you sound, I reply with a sarcastic tone, faking a smile at him. Suddenly, Vaughn shoots at me in the leg. In pain, I groan and clutch at the new wound. Okay, I should have seen it coming... This was all a lie, eh? You knew you were a dead man, he states to me with an upset tone. I look up at him while still clutching on my wound. Vaughn pulls the cure, which is on a string around his neck, out from under his shirt. Right... Well, you don't get this back. Where'd you put Silas? tells and asks me, the dead vampire hunter, with a serious tone. I softly laugh, staying quiet before him. I am a dead man anyway and Bonnie is putting the veil back up tonight, I don't have to say anything... Vaughn shoots at me square in the chest. I can't... I fall to my knees, feeling more and more the venom spreading in my body, in my blood. One more jolt of werewolf toxin, and you'll be dead within minutes, says, the dead hunter, staring into my eyes. Argh, I don't feel well... Wait... Gillian... I lied to her. I lied about my state. God, I'm probably on my last breathe and the only person I think about is my niece. Princess... I love her so much and I didn't even tell her one last time. And Stefan... Where's Silas?! Shouts, Vaughn at me. I stare at him, breathing hardly and a bit slower. Vaughn has his gun aimed at my head, but I don't respond. He won't know a thing... This is it... Just as it seems Vaughn is about to pull the trigger, Alaric suddenly shows up, snapping Vaughn's neck and swings him swiftly into the quarry. Well... That's a damn move!

- Oops, says, Alaric, with a non-innocent smile as he turns at me.

- One slight problem, I say weakly, closing my eyes. Everything starts to spin... How did Gillian went through this twice and got out of it? She's so strong... I see Alaric holding up the cure, dangling on the string. Oh...

- You mean this? He asks me with a smile.

- Yes. Yes, that, I say with still a very weak voice.

Stefan's P.O.V.

- I would love nothing more than to get out of here before Vaughn comes back to life, but Damon won't take the cure. He wants it for Elena, tells me, Alaric, through the phone as I am pacing left to right on the school ground behind the field. Elena, Caroline and Gillian are with me, almost all on there phone. Caroline is trying to reach Klaus, Elena... Someone else and Gillian is watching me pacing with a confused frown. Right, I didn't tell her about Damon... Nobody did...

- Okay, just hang on a little longer. Caroline's calling Klaus again, I tell him with a calm voice as I take a deep breath to calm down.

- What's going on? Why would Damon need the cure? Why do we need Niklaus? Asks me, Gillian with a serious, confused and concerned tone. I don't answer her nor look at her. Well, kind of avoiding her eyes. I can't tell her like this... I glance at Caroline and see her hanging up before she shakes her head negatively. No...

- Stefan, we are past the point of Hail Mary phone calls. What do you want me to do, stand here and watch him die, or force-feed him the cure? tells and asks me, Alaric, with an urgent tone as he seems nervous for his friend.

- Die...? Dad! Calls me, Gillian, with a serious and firm tone as she appears before me with an upset frown. What the hell is going on with my uncle? She asks me, holding onto my arm. I look down at her, finally meeting her eyes. She'll be mad at me for lying to her...

- Gillian, I'm sorry but I did it to protect you, I say with a sorry and sincere tone while weakly shaking my head negatively.

- The bullet... She suddenly whispers with realization. There was werewolf venom on it, wasn't it? she asks me with worry this time. I frown sadly at her before looking down, quietly. No... Gillian gasps and backs off from me, shaking her head negatively as her eyes are watering up. No, Gillian... I follow my daughter, seeing her starting to have difficulty to stay concentrate. I glance at Elena at the same time, seeing her shaking her head as she remains silent. Right...

- Stefan?! Calls me again, Alaric, with an urgent tone. I was about to answer him when a sudden high-pitched noise causes Gillian, Caroline, Elena and I to clutch at our heads in pain. God, no... I hear everyone groaning in pain as I drop my phone to the ground. Gillian... My baby falls onto her knees, holding her head while screaming in pain. No... Despite the pain, I manage to pass one of my arms around my daughter's back, trying my best to protect her from... Whoever is hurting us.

- Remember us, Caroline? I sudden hear a woman, speaking to Caroline. Oh... The witch... Gillian groans in pain, tears rolling down her face. The pain and the news about Damon didn't help... The witch holds her arm out, casting whatever spell is hurting us. Suddenly, I feel Gillian gripping onto my gown, pulling on it as the two of us groan in pain. Suddenly, the pain stops abruptly. What? I look up and see that the witch got beheaded. Oh... I turn my head to the other side, finding Klaus standing at a small distance from us. The headless body falls to the ground.

- There are plenty more of these to go around, he says, picking up a new cap. Oh... I see how the witch got beheaded now. He must have thrown it like a disk with his Hybrid strength... Who's next? I can do this all day, asks and says, Klaus, with a smirk. Right... I look down to my little girl, my arm still around her back. She looks up at the Original Hybrid, smiling happily despite her wet cheeks.

Damon's P.O.V.

Hours have passed and the night has fallen outside. I am in my bedroom, all healed up, and actually half naked. The shower felt nice after everything... Having that venom in my body, feeling my life going away more and more, the fever, the constant sick feeling... It was a living hell. It was a chance Klaus actually came. I'm sure he didn't come to save me, but for other reasons... Involving girls... I grab a shirt to put it on when I hear someone coming in. Oh...

- Hi, I say with a small smile to Elena while putting on my shirt.

- Are you feeling better? She asks me with a small concern as she comes up to me. I nod positively, faintly smiling. So it's all healed up? She asks me, now standing before me.

- Fresh as a daisy, I answer with a smirk.

- Good, answers, Elena, before her hand suddenly hits hard my cheek. I didn't see that one coming as well...

Gillian's P.O.V.

- Ouch! I hear Aunt Lexi saying after we all heard certainly Elena slapping my uncle. Aunt Lexi, Uncle Ric, my father and I are all downstairs, settling down with drinks.

- Yeah, I taught her that swing, says, Alaric, with a proud tone. I hear Lexi slightly laughing as I roll my eyes, annoyed.

- You know it's not polite to eavesdrop, right? Says, my dad, as he is sitting in the armchair. I am sitting on the sofa, my arms crossed over my chest as I am lightly frowning. I can feel him staring at me, still sorry for not telling me about Damon. I mean, clearly, it upsets me...

- Hey, I'm short on time here. Don't rob me of what little joy I have, Answers, Aunt Lexi to my father, while lightly chuckling. Uncle Ric comes sitting down next to me, passing his arm around my shoulders to bring me against him. I smile at the man, leaning completely against him. I'm going to miss him so much... How long do he and Aunt Lexi have left? I have my head resting onto his chest as Uncle Ric runs his hand up and down my back. I can't hear his heart beating... Of course, he isn't supposed to be here... I look up at the man, keeping my head on his chest as he takes a sip from his drink. He looks down at me while faintly smiling.

- What's going on, Lian? Asks me gently, Uncle Ric, feeling him stroking my hair. How does he know something is bothering me? Teachers...

- I don't want you gone, Uncle Ric. I don't want any of you gone. Not now... Not again... Not ever, I whisper sadly, placing my hand onto his chest this time. I stare into his eyes for a moment when Aunt Lexi comes sitting on the small table, in front of dad. I glance at both of them, seeing their sad frown. Even my father frowns sadly... I move and lean in, taking Aunt Lexi's hand in mine, while my other one holds Ric's. I'm just scared it will be the last time that I see them, that I talk to them, that I touch them... None of us say a word as it is not needed. I see dad taking Aunt Lexi's other hand into his, joining us.

- Even if we're gone, Mini S, we'll always be with you. We will be written into your mind and buried into your heart. Nothing will take this away from you, replies softly, Aunt Lexi to me, squeezing my hand with hers. I faintly smile at her, appreciating her words.

- She's right, I turn my head and look at Ric. We'll always be by your sides even though we aren't physically here, Kiddo, he tells me gently, smiling softly. That's true. I never forgot them when they were not here before they came back... I nod to the both of them, all of us smiling. I remark my father cracking a small smile in the corner of my eyes. Mmh... I glance at him when he nods at me before looking down with sorriness. I guess he didn't tell me about Uncle Damon to protect me... I guess he knew how I would have reacted...

- Lilly? I suddenly hear Meryll calling me loudly. I clear my throat and come back to reality.

- Living room, Lil'Dove, I answer loudly to the little girl. All of us hear her running through the house, her steps sounding like she is sometimes hesitating to which corridor to take. I crack a small smile. She'll get habituated to this huge house... All of us release our hands when Meryll makes her entry. However, when she saw that I wasn't alone, she abruptly stopped walking. She looks so shy and nervous... Hey, how's your new room? I ask her with a smile, trying to make her more comfortable.

- Big, she answers with a shy voice while nodding positively. I nod back, still smiling at her. Meryll looks at all of us again, staying at the entrance of the room until she begins to slowly approach me. She looks down before bending toward my ear. Could I get a hug? She whispers shyly. All those people make her so nervous... And I'm pretty sure they all heard her, but she doesn't know it. I giggle and open my arms wide to embrace her.

- Come here, I say while hugging her. At least, she isn't afraid of me anymore... I think... Meryll holds me back, her head hidden in my neck. I run my hand in her back before she pulls away. Meryll comes sitting next to me on my other side, leaning against me as well as I am still leaning against Uncle Ric. I look up at my father and Lexi when I see them smiling at me. I frown confused, slowly smiling too. Why that smile? I ask them in a whisper so Meryll won't hear me.

- It just suits you well, responds, dad, with a smile while looking at Meryll. Oh... I smile back at them, understanding what my dad meant. Mother figure suits me well... Suddenly, someone else walks in the room.

- Anyone seen Jeremy? Asks, Elena, walking in and standing next to my father. Argh... I look at her, remarking her raging eyes when she saw me leaning and hugging Alaric. Right... I look down, quietly scoffing.

- Oh, he went to see Bonnie. He'll be back later. You know, before... Well, you know, replies gently, Alaric to the brunette, not saying much because of Meryll next to me and because of the pain those words can cause us all. Just the thought of it hurts...

- Yeah, whispers, Elena, nodding understandingly. Stefan, can I, um... Can I have a moment? Suddenly questions, the Gilbert vampire to my father, speaking nervously as she looks down at him.

- Sure, replies, dad, looking at us all one by one with some surprise. I roll my eyes and look away as both of them exit the room.

- This could get interesting, whispers, Lexi to us, as she takes dad's seat.

- Usually does, answers, Uncle Ric, actually sounding kind of annoyed of all those drama between the Gilbert girl and the brothers.

- Right... I say while scoffing. I feel both of them glancing at me, but I don't care. I shake my head, negatively looking away quietly.

- So, the Other Side... Not exactly a party, is it? asks, Aunt Lexi, trying to make a small conversation.

- I've lived... Better, answers, Alaric, cracking a small smile. Of course... I lean in against him a bit more if it is even possible.

- You know there's something else out there, right? There has to be. Silas' whole agenda was to find peace with his one true love, and whatever "peace" is... It's out there. I figure once we've served our time for all the bad things we've done, then it's just about letting go, moving on, tells and recounts, Aunt Lexi to my uncle Ric. I look down at Meryll, playing with her hair at the same time. She's so calm and so quiet...

- And how are we supposed to do that when the knuckleheads we care about can't seem to keep their lives straight? Questions, Uncle Ric, lightly smirking. He got a point... Aunt Lexi nods positively, cracking a small smile as she clearly knows he is right.

- Lilly? I look down at the little girl laying against me. What's the Other Side? And what's Silas? Asks me, Meryll, frowning confused. Oh great... I glance at Aunt Lexi, giving her a look while mimicking her a humorless "thank you". She faintly smile with sorriness on her face.

- The other side is a... Dark and supernatural living story which isn't for kids. And Silas is the villain of this story, I answer briefly to Meryll, kind of lying to her. She doesn't need to know about all this. Not yet... Maybe one day she'll know about it, but today is not the moment. And I mean, she is too young and innocent... The less she knows, the better, right? I look down at her sweet face, faintly smiling. Meryll smiles back at me, nodding understandingly to my answer. At least, she doesn't ask anymore questions...

- Oh good your here... Suddenly tells, Caroline, while coming in. However, she abruptly stops herself when she saw Meryll. Oh, hi there, smiles, Care to the little girl, looking confused. Right, I forgot to tell her about Meryll...

- Care, this is Meryll. Meryll this is my best friend, Caroline, I present them while smiling. Caroline comes towards us before she crouches in front of Meryll, smiling. Her and Care shake hands which got to make Lexi, Alaric and I to smile. I'm her guardian for now, I explain to Caroline. The blonde vampire nods understandingly to me.

- Is she a vampire too? Suddenly questions, Meryll, as she looks up at me. The four of us stop smiling and glance at each other.

- She is. A good one, just like me, I answer her seriously and with a comforting tone.

- Is everyone a vampire here? She then asks me, sounding slightly nervous.

- Most of the people, yes, I truthfully respond. Are you scared? I ask in a whisper as I remark her lightly frowning and playing with the bottom of her shirt.

- No. They must be all like you if you live with them, she replies, cracking a faint smile but not for long. She's trying to reassure her own self...

- Nobody will hurt you here. You are perfectly safe, Meryll. And beside, Gillian, like everyone in this house, will protect you if something happens. You can be sure of that, answers, Caroline to Meryll, smiling with a reassured smile at her. I smile to my best friend's words, appreciating what she said to reassure Meryll. Care looks up at me, winking discretely at me before she looks back at Meryll. She takes one of her hand and her other one takes mine. Okay, come on. We've got few things to do, tells us, the blonde vampire, with a determined and motivated tone.

- Like what? I ask her confused while faintly chuckling.

- You'll see. Come on, insists, Caroline, while laughing. Meryll stands up and goes standing next to Caroline, still holding her hand. I guess I don't have a choice... I stand up but turn to Uncle Ric and Aunt Lexi while releasing Care's grip.

- Got to go. Bye, Uncle Ric, I love you, I say with a smile as I lean in and embrace him tightly.

- I love you too, Kiddo, he responds, kissing my cheek at the same time. I smile and kiss back his cheek before pulling away. I move to Aunt Lexi and take her in my arms as well.

- Bye Aunt Lexi, I love you too, I reply while tightening my embrace.

- I love you too, Mini S, she whispers in my ear, kissing my cheek just like Uncle Ric. I kiss her cheek back and pull away as well. I join Care and Meryll's sides, taking the little girl's hand in mine. The three of us wave at them with a kind smile before we all leave the room to apparently go upstairs. What are we going to do?

Stefan's P.O.V.

- So, what's up? I ask to Elena after her and I locked ourselves into another room to be... "Out" of possible eavesdroppers.

- Honestly, Stefan, I just wanted to thank you. For sticking by me when I was at my worst, for believing that I was still in there. Even after everything I put you through, you... You never gave up on me, thanks me, Elena, with a serious tone. She seems embarrassed though because of what she has done to me... And most certainly to everyone.

- I, ah... I kind of owed you one, I reply sincerely, cracking a small smile at her. Elena smiles back at me as the two of us stay silent for a moment.

- Here, she suddenly tells me, holding her hand out, closed-fisted. It's yours. I want you to have it, she tells me after I held my hand out and she placed... The cure? She's giving me the cure?

- No, Elena, I'm not gonna... I begin to say, shaking my head negatively. I can't take it and for many reasons... Starting by my little girl...

- Stefan, she calls me, interrupting me. The only person worse at being a vampire than me is you. Human blood is your downfall. You got the raw end of the vampire deal. The rest of us will be fine, we'll survive. I mean, you taught us. You deserve whatever you want out of life, tells me seriously, Elena, speaking with an almost convincing tone. She really does want me to have it... Or is she giving it to me because Damon didn't take it? Am I second choice? Elena folds my fingers over the cure. You deserve this, she whispers to me, holding my hand closed fist in hers. Right...

Gillian's P.O.V.

- Are you sure it's not too much? I ask to my best friend and Meryll, the three of us standing in my bedroom. I don't know why we are trying on all those dresses. And why just me?

- No, it's perfect, replies, Caroline, smiling brightly as she circles me to look at the dress up and down.

- You look like a princess, Lilly, tells me, Meryll, smiling as her eyes are sparkling at the sight of the dress I am wearing. I chuckle to the sight of her sweet face as I spin on myself. The dress lightly flies around me before he delicately lands on the floor again.

- Listen to the kid. They never lie, replies, Caroline, with a smirk before she does a high-five with Meryll. Right... I move to my long-length mirror and look at myself into it. I admit, I love the dress. It's fresh. But still, why am I wearing such a dress tonight? There isn't even a party.

- Remind me again why I have to wear this dress? I mean I saw that everyone is well dressed and all but... I'm not into a party mood tonight. And beside, I have to take care of Meryll. Where's Kol by the way? I say to Caroline while lightly shaking my head before frowning confused. Caroline comes over at me and spins me around so I face the long-length mirror again.

- You have to wear this dress because we just graduated... Well, I did, but you graduated again as well. You need to celebrate it. And I want my best friend with me on that special day, she says with a joyful tone, still smiling brightly as she passes an arm around my shoulders. I chuckle to her joy and that sudden side hug when she pulls away from me. Even with this Little Angel that I just met, she says as she looks at Meryll who is laying on my bed. I smile and look at Meryll, seeing her smiling at us. But Meryll can't go to a party, she's too young for that...

- Who's going to watch Meryll while we're absent? I ask to Caroline, frowning concerned on who will watch her.

- Oh, we're not going far. Don't worry, replies, Care, while she looks at me like this isn't a problem. Not far? I arc my eyebrows with surprise before frowning confused. And Damon apparently stays here, she tells me, finding all argument to convince me to come. Damon not going at a party? Really?

- Who's Damon? Questions, Meryll, with a confused tone and frown.

- Stefan's brother. He is a very nice and funny man. You'll like him, I answer to Meryll, calling my father by his name. Meryll still doesn't know that "Stefan" is my father so I can't tell her. She would find this weird anyway...

- But I want to stay with you, Gillian. I don't want anybody else, tells me, Meryll, getting up from my bed to come stand before me. I stare into her eyes, seeing that nervousness again. I lightly frown, thinking.

- You know what? Little Angel here can come with us. She just needs... Suddenly says, Caroline, when she walks over to the bathroom. What is she doing? Care comes back into my bedroom, holding two flowers. Oh... Where did she get them? How long have the flowers been in there? Here. This one is for you, she says with a smile as she gives one to Meryll. The little girl smiles back at Care, taking the rose carefully. And this one is for you, she then says, giving me the second rose.

- Thank you, Caroline, thanks, Meryll to my best friend, while smiling. Care winks at her, smiling back.

- Thanks, Care, but why are you offering me a flower? Is that our secret besty symbol? I thank and ask her with a confused tone while smirking playfully.

- It could be, laughs, Care. But it's mainly the symbol for love, she then replies with a smile that says a lot. What?

I frown confused when Caroline suddenly interweaves her arm with mine. I stare at my best friend as I can clearly see that something is going on behind all this. But what...? Meryll grabs my hand in hers, causing me to look down at her. She smiles as she holds the rose against her carefully. Slowly, Caroline and Meryll begin to lead me out of my bedroom. We enter the hall and I immediately find a line of roses lined on the floor, leading somewhere. What's all this? I release Meryll's hand and bend down to pick up the first rose. They are all so red... So beautiful... I smile and turn around to hand the rose to Meryll. She smiles at me and takes it, now holding two roses. The three of us continue our way down the hall as I pick the flowers up one by one. Candles are lightening the halls here and there. A romantic atmosphere is running around... I pick up an umpteenth rose, a huge bouquet already formed in my hand. We walk down the stairs which is completely lightened up by candles all along the stair ramp. When did this happened? Who prepared all this? It's simply amazing! We reach the bottom of the stairs to find new roses. Where are those leading? I pick them up as well until finding a carpet made of petals of roses. I hold the bouquet, Caroline and Meryll standing behind me when we enter the living-room. Oh my God... The whole room is plunged into a warm atmosphere, the fireplace lightened up, candles places everywhere and...

- Nik! I exclaim with joy as I see the Original Hybrid standing there in a tux. Oh my God! I put all the flowers down carefully on the armchair before running up to the man. I jump into his arms and he catches me, giggling at the same time. I missed you so much! Wait, I pull away from him, frowning confused. I thought you were gone again after you killed that witch, I tell him with a surprised tone.

- Well, I have few things to do here so I couldn't do them but not see you, Love, answers, Niklaus to me while smiling. He steps lightly away, holding both my hands in his, while looking at my dress up and down. You look absolutely splendid, Love, he compliments me which completely warmed my heart. I smile brightly at him while nodding to thank him. Suddenly, I hear footstep coming up towards us. I turn my head to look at who is coming, seeing Dad, Uncle Damon, Aunt Lexi, Uncle Ric and Kyle entering the living-room. All of them are either wearing a tux or a nice dress.

- Guys! I exclaim again as they come standing next to Klaus. Kyle, you came back, I say with a smile to my friend while standing before him.

- I told you I would come back, he tells me, winking at me. I nod and smile at him before hugging my dead best friend. He hugs me back for a moment before I pull away. I'm so happy that they are all here... Yeah, all at once... How come? Oh, wait... I turn around, thinking about Meryll. She remembered Kyle killing Kayla... I glance at the little girl who seems frightened by him. She hides herself behind Caroline. No... I immediately walk up over to her, frowning sadly.

- Meryll? I gently call her, touching delicately her hand. The little girl glances at me, staying behind Care. Meryll, I know you recognized Kyle. But he won't do anything to you. What he did... Was exactly like what happened to me. He was manipulated by a man and he couldn't fight him back, I explain softly to her, speaking with a calm tone. Meryll looks up at Kyle while I was talking, frowning sadly and scared. Right... She looks back up at me, still not sure. Listen, you can trust me when I tell you he won't hurt you. He perfectly know he'll have to answer to me if he tries anything. And let me tell you a secret, I say while motioning her to come closer. Hesitantly, she slowly approaches me, letting me whispering into her ear. He is scared of me, I whisper playfully into her ear. Meryll looks up at Kyle with nervous eyes before she cracks an amused smile and looks down. I smile back, glad to see her less scared. At least, for now... I turn back to everyone, smiling and frowning confused. Let's go back to our previous subject... So, what's going here? I ask them with a confused tone, yet, still smiling happily.

- Well, as you know, I couldn't resist for a visit and a little update. And I miss not having my little Princess Warrior near me as well. But that is not the only reasons, tells me, Klaus, speaking first and most certainly for everybody and himself as he walks over to the armchair where I let the flowers. He picks them up and give me only ten of those. I take them, smiling, when I see him taking a rose from behind him. What? This one is from me and, he takes two other roses and gives them to me as well, those are from Rebekah and Elijah, he says with a warm smile. I take the three other roses that he is holding, frowning confused, but still smiling. Nik leans in and places a delicate kiss onto my cheek before he goes standing next to Caroline. Suddenly, dad comes standing before me, holding a rose as well.

- This is from me because I am your father, because I love you so deeply much and because your happiness is what I live for each seconds of my life, he tells me with a smile, speaking with a profound pride. He gets another rose out, holding two of them now. This one is from Katherine. She would have given it to you herself if she could but... She really wanted one of us to do it so... I nod understandingly, smiling. He gives me the roses which I add to the bouquet that I already have in my hand. Dad leans in as well, kissing my forehead for several seconds. He pulls away, cupping my face and staring into my eyes for a moment, smiling kindly at me. I grab his wrist, thanking him before he moves away going to join Caroline and Klaus. I still don't understand what is going on... Uncle Damon comes before me, holding a single flower before him.

- This one's from me because we all know I am the coolest uncle, he tells me with a chuckle which got me to quietly laugh. Behind Damon, I remarked Alaric rolling his eyes before he smiled. Those two... No but seriously, I love you like my own child, Gillian. You're happiness are what I love to see in you whenever you don't show me how life should really being lived. Thank you for showing me what family mean. Thank you for showing me what love is. And thank you for being you, Boo, tells and thanks me, Damon, while he smiles proudly and with love at me. He holds his flower in front of me waiting for me to take it. I smile and grab it as I feel my eyes beginning to water up. I love everything they are saying, I love everything that is happening right now... I get on my tip toes and kiss his cheek, thanking him before he joins Caroline, Niklaus and dad. Uncle Ric comes standing before me, smiling.

- The first time I saw you, you were a student in my class. The second time I saw you, I almost shot at you, but thanks to Stefan, I didn't. I was an idiot who was chasing after vampires, thinking they were all cruel and careless monster. But I learned that I was making a mistake. You showed me that all vampires aren't a devil of nature. You gave me another vision of the supernatural world and I am thankful for that. But I am also thankful for having you as my student and most importantly, for having you as the incredible niece that you are. I took care of you when you asked me to, I gave you advice when you asked me to, and I think I did well my job, I smile at my Uncle Ric, as my tears are on the verge to fall. Alaric places one of his hands on my cheek, smiling. You're my kiddo and I love you, he whispers sincerely and with love while getting a rose from behind his back. You deserve all the love and joy of this world, he whispers with the same tone, offering me his rose. The tears finally fall down my cheeks as I weakly nod to thank him. Uncle Ric leans in and kisses my cheek after gently wiping my tears away. He joins the others, letting his place for Aunt Lexi.

- I don't have the most perfect speech like all the others but... I love you like my own child, Gillian. I raised you with Stefan. I fought for you. I played with you. I healed you. I educated you. I taught you. And I cannot say how proud and impressed I am of the woman you have become, Mini S, she tells me with an emotional voice, pushing a small lock of my hair behind my ear. I smile at her as tears continue to fall down my face. Aunt Lexi brings me into a hug, tightening her embrace immediately. I miss her every days... She pulls away after a moment and gives me a rose as well. I take it, adding it to the bouquet. If only she knew how much I love her for everything she did for me and dad... She's amazing and one of the best woman example I had in my life. Aunt Lexi moves aside to go to the others, letting her place for Kyle.

- When I met you, you were not even 22 years old. You were a new vampire or only few years and you were kind of lonely. I watch you grow into this incredible vampire woman you have become, doing every foolishness possible together. I was absent sometimes, of course, but I always came back to my best friend. It was the good old days, he says as he takes one of my hands in his. But that's the past. Now you have a boyfriend and a little girl to watch, he says as he glances at Meryll behind him. I look at the little girl, seeing her faintly smiling at us while looking slightly nervous and mostly confused. Right... she still needs to adjust to her new life. I nod at Meryll, smiling back at her before looking back at Kyle. You have the life you desired for so long and you deserve it, Foxy, he whispers sweetly as he hands me a rose. I take it, smiling at him at the same time before I embrace him. He's the best... I pull away and let him go join the others. I glance at Meryll who isn't moving. I gently smile at her when she suddenly glances at someone next to me. I turn my head with a confused frown until I see Caroline standing by my sides, holding a flower too.

- I know we only met two years ago but... You really are my best friend too. You saved my life few times, you helped me when I needed help. You listened to me when I needed to talk. You advised me when I needed some. You even saved my mom... You're just incredible. You absolutely deserve all the love and all the happiness of this world, says and tells me, my blonde best friend, before she places her rose into my bouquet that I am holding. I place my hand over my heart as another tear rolls down my face. The two of us smile at each other before she suddenly hugs me. We have so many memories to make once we will be at college, she whispers with a giggle before pulling away from me. I chuckle back as I watch her returning to the men and Lexi. I shake my head left to right with some disbelief, still smiling happily when someone gently pats my arm. I turn and look down at Meryll who is holding a piece of paper.

- I did a drawing for you. It's not a flower but I tried to make it pretty, she says while handing me her drawing. I take it, smiling at her. She drew three people, with a house and a kite flying in the air. There are clouds, a bright yellow sun and a butterfly flying above the grass. Birds are melt into the clouds.

- It's beautifully done, Meryll. I love it, I tell her sincerely before I embrace her tightly. Meryll melts into my hug, snaking her arms around my waist. It seems to become easier for her to approach me and hug me after spending few hours here... It's a good beginning. I kiss her cheek, thanking her before I look up at everyone who lined up and are watching us with a soft smile. And I love you all guys. Thank you for the flowers and those words. It means a lot to me, especially after what I went through lately, I tell them truthfully, smiling happily to them despite the tears in my eyes. Meryll is still against me, holding me by my waist. I suddenly chuckle as I look at all the flowers and the drawings in my hand. I still don't know why I am receiving all those flowers and this beautiful drawing, I say to them with emotions in my voice as my voice faintly shakes.

- I asked them, I suddenly hear a familiar British accent from behind me. I turn around to discover Kol, wearing a tux and his hair well done. He is as well holding a rose in his hand while he comes slowly over to me. God, tux looks so good on him... Meryll pulls away from me and goes joining Caroline and Lexi's sides. Evening, Beautiful, greets and smiles to me, Kol, while standing before me. He takes the flowers and the drawing from my hand to place them on the armchair behind me.

- Kol, what's going on? I call and ask him with a smile, lightly chuckling. My boyfriend smiles and comes back in front of me. He carefully takes both my hands in his, making sure his rose doesn't sting me. Why is he so quiet? The two of us stare into each other's eyes for a moment, only smiling. He seems so nervous... Kol takes a deep breath in and out, his hands lightly shaking.

- The day I met you, my life changed drastically. From our very first eye contact, I understood that I wanted to be in your life forever. The way you make me feel when you look at me. The way you make me smile when I hear your voice. It's all special. It's all magical. And I can't explain this feeling because only you make me feel like this, he begins to tell me, his voice sometimes lightly shaking due to his nervousness. I stare into his eyes, listening closely to his words while feeling his thumbs caressing the back of my hands. I fell in an unconditional love with you because I love absolutely everything about you. Your temper, your character, your incredibly mesmerizing forest eyes, your warm and kind smile, your golden heart... I love the sound of your voice, the sound of your laugh... Everything, he says, softly pushing a lock of my hair with his left hand before he takes back my hand in his. I stare quietly into his eyes, not blinking once. Is he doing what I think he is...? Kol smiles at me, looking more and more nervous all while being excited. I choose you over and over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I'll keep choosing you. The two of us went through so much through this year but we always went beyond those problems because we're stronger together. We are each other's home. I didn't know what it meant before because I have never been in love like I am with you. I used to travel the world, dragging my dark soul all over the places I would go to. But your light enlightened me. I thought I needed the world at my feet while being consumed by this darkness. But I was wrong. I don't need the world, I just need you, he continues to tell me, expressing his heart out. Tears are starting to rise in his eyes as he cracks a nervous smile. His hands slowly squeeze mine like he is trying to reassure himself to continue speaking, to find courage to fight this nervousness. I've never seen him so nervous... My cheeks are stained with happy tears as I squeeze his hands to give him courage to speak. All I want to do is spend my whole life loving you and making you happy. I love you and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then too. No matter which life we are living in, I know my mind will always be full of you, he says with an extreme love in his voice. He clears quietly his throat before he suddenly releases my hands. What...? With teary eyes, Kol smilies at me as he takes a step back. I watch him searching something in his vest before he takes a red velvet box out. Oh my God... He kneels on one knee, his hands still shaking as he opens the red velvet box, letting me see a huge diamond ring. Oh. My. God... I gasp and cover my mouth with both my hands as tears stream down my cheeks. I can hear our friends and families quietly laughing joyfully behind us. He is really doing it... Gillian Enid Phoenix Salvatore, will you marry me? Proposes, my boyfriend to me, his eyes sparkling with tears as they look hopeful and in love with me.

- Are you serious? I whisper with disbelief and happiness as I cannot speak louder.

- I've never been so sure in my life before, he answers, still speaking with a nervous tone. So, what do you say? Will you do me the honor to become my wife? He questions to me, his voice still shaking but full of hope.

- Yes... Yes! I first whisper before exclaiming myself with happiness. Kol first looked at me like he wasn't sure of what I said before he lets two tears rolling down his face, smiling happily at me. My boyfriend takes the ring out from the box and slowly and carefully places it on my finger as people are applauding and whistling cheerfully for us. Suddenly, a song is played in the background.

"I found a love for me
Darling just dive right in
And follow my lead
Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes"

Kol stands back up on his feet, his hands going on my waist as my arms are snaking around his neck. He leans in immediately, kissing me with a furious passionate and meaningful kiss. I answer to his kiss, the music and our loved ones applauding in the background. I forgot they were here... Kol and I put the same pressure on each other's lips, as the kiss becomes to get wet due to our tears of joy. My boyf... My fiancé pulls away from my lips to hide his head in my neck as we embrace each other. Whistles echo in the room, mixed up with laughs. After a moment, the two of us pull away and everyone comes up to us, congratulating us. They all come shaking hands with Kol while he wipes his cheeks which I find so cute. I never saw him crying before, but knowing it is happy tears... It just makes me feel overjoy. Our friends and family comes hugging me as well. Caroline, Meryll and Lexi both come up to me to immediately look at my ring. They laugh happily as the three of us smile brightly. New tears roll down my eyes but I wipe them away immediately. I walk over to my father and embrace him without waiting for him to say a word. Dad embraces me back as I feel is chest vibrating due to his faint chuckle. I feel my father kissing the top of my head before I pull away from him.

- Congratulation, Sweetie, he whispers to me, his thumb lightly touching the ring on my left hand.

- Thanks, daddy, I whisper back, smiling brightly and happily at him. I turn around to look at everyone, keeping and arm around my father, when I see Kol holding Meryll in his arms. I love him so much, I love Meryll so much... I hope she will stay with us because... With her in our life, we could have the life we always wanted. And she does seem to appreciate us, right? Suddenly, I bring myself out of my thoughts when Nik comes over to me, smiling.

- May I talk with my soon-to-be sister-in-law? Questions, Niklaus to me, offering me his hand while smiling kindly. I giggle and nod as I accept his hand. I wave at my father, smiling one last time at him. I glance at Kol and motion him that I am exiting the room for five minutes. My fiancé... God, that sounds so nice to say... My fiancé smiles and winks at me while nodding understandingly. Niklaus and I reach the outside, a fresh breeze hitting my face and knocking some of my hair back. I am having and living the best night of my life, I couldn't dream of better... I guess I have to congratulate you twice tonight, tells me, Nik, with a smile, mentioning my graduation and the engagement.

- I'm glad you're here, Nik. Mystic Falls isn't the same without you here, I reply to my friend with a serious voice, yet, an emotional one. I wipe my cheeks as I look up at him.

- I miss it too, but my place is at New Orleans now, he answers calmly and gently. I nod understandingly, looking down at bit. My family lives there and I lived there for a while in the past. It was the good old time... I hope you will come visit me one day so I could show you my town. My life, he tells me with hope in his voice while his eyes are showing joy and his smile are warming my heart.

- I would love to very much, I reply sincerely, smiling. Nik smiles back at me before the two of us look forward for a moment. Listening to the silence surrounding us and the faint breeze is refreshing our thoughts.

- So... There was something I wanted to talk to you about that... I didn't want to mention in front of everyone, suddenly tells me, Niklaus, turning his head back to look at me. I look up at the Original Hybrid, frowning confused as I wait for him to talk. He sounds and looks pretty serious... Something that I thought was impossible... Happened. I still don't know how it is possible but... I guess it is a miracle, he begins to tell me seriously, himself looking confused. Hayley, do you remember her? he asks me. I nod positively to his question. Who could forget her? Well, she and I had a one night stand and... Now, she is carrying my baby, he admits to me with a slight small voice while faintly smiling. Oh... I gasp before laughing with joy.

- Nik, that's fantastic! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I exclaim to my friend with a joyful tone while taking one of his hands in mine to squeeze it. Niklaus smiles and chuckles to my excitement as his other hand comes covering mine.

- Thank you, Love. I appreciate your enthusiasm and your words, he says with a smile while nodding his head up and down. But that's not all I wanted to tell you, he replies seriously and calmly. Oh... I stare at him, waiting for the man to talk again. I... I thought that maybe... You know, you have a fiery temperament, a strong and determined character, you're fearless, your strength is above the world, you're intelligent, wise and a magnificent woman. Anyone would feel lucky to have you in their life. I know that I am and I feel even more lucky when I remember that I earned your trust and your friendship if not a family bound from you. Because... You're not only a friend to my eyes and heart, but also a niece and a daughter and for sure, my favorite sister-in-law, I giggle to his last words as I was so drowned into them. They are so meaningful and so... Strong. They matter and mean so much to me... But now, I'm not only going to have two adoptive children, he says, mentioning Marcel and I, but I'll also have one of my own. Which is why I wanted to ask you... If anything happens to me, to Hayley, to my whole family... Can I count on you to take care of that baby? Whatever his or her age will be? Will you watch and guide him or her? He tells and asks me with a serious tone, staring straight into my eyes. Oh... I wasn't ready for this... You'll kind of be like his or her... Half-sister/aunt/godmother, he replies with a chuckle. I stay silent for a moment, staring at him. I squeeze his hands with mines.

- If I am still of this world, I promise to do everything I can to help your child. I'll take care of him or her like my own to make sure he or she will be the greatest legacy of your family, Nik, I respond with a serious and sincere voice to him, meaning my words.

- Our family, he corrects me. Right... I'm getting married to Kol! I laugh and nod understandingly. Thank you for everything, Love. You've taught me more than I've had learned in my whole life, he tells me with a sweet voice before he places a kiss on my cheek. I smile at him when someone suddenly joins us. Kol, exclaims, Nik, as my fiancé joins us. I swear, saying this just sounds so right... Kol passes and arm around me, bringing me against him. Congratulation on the proposal, brother. Very romantic, he compliments to Kol, turning to him.

- Thanks, Nik, thanks, Kol to his brother. I smile as I look up at the Original vampire. Kol holds his hand out for Klaus to shake it. However, he doesn't do it. Instead, Nik looks down at Kol's hand before his eyes meet his brother's again. Oh... Suddenly, the Original Hybrid steps up and hugs his brother unexpectedly. Oh! Surprised, Kol didn't reply to the hug at first. However, he rapidly circles his arms around his brother. I smile to the sight of the men, loving to see them like this now. They pull apart, smiling to each other when someone else joins us outside. Care... My best friend smiles at us, even at Klaus.

- Caroline... Would you mind joining me for a bit? Demands gently, Nik to the blonde vampire. Caroline looks surprised before she looks at me with an unsure look. I smile at her and nod positively, telling her to go with him. The blonde vampire smiles before nodding positively at Klaus. She walks up over to me and embraces me against her.

- Congratulations again. I'm so happy for you, besty, she whispers in my ear before pulling away. Celebrate this like it should be, she says, winking at me before starting to walk away along Niklaus's sides. I chuckle to her comment as Kol passes his arm around my shoulders again. I pass my arm around his back, resting my head on his chest. The two of us watch them walking away until they disappear of our sight. Smiling, I look up at Kol who immediately kisses my lips. I respond to his kiss, still smiling against his lips. I love him so much... But I think everyone knows that already, no?

Caroline's P.O.V.

- How'd you get here so fast? I ask to Klaus with a curious tone as him and I are standing on the field of my now old high school. I still can't believe I graduated today! It's like a chapter of my life is done and I am entering a new one!

- I was already on my way, he answers with a smile. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. I received your graduation announcement with Gillian's. It was... Very subtle from you, he says and compliments me as he draws a piece of paper out of the inside of his coat. My graduation announcement... I shut my eyes, smiling. Right... I forgot about that. I should have guessed though... I assume you're expecting cash? he tells me with a playful tone while smirking.

- That, or a mini fridge, I respond, joking back with him before cracking a smile.

- Well, I had considered offering you a first class ticket to join me in New Orleans... But I knew what your answer would be. So, I opted for something I knew you would accept, he admits to me, looking serious as he speaks calmly. Really? I look at him, waiting for what he has to say. Tyler is now free to return to Mystic Falls, he tells me seriously and clearly reluctantly.

- What? I ask him in a whisper, staring at him like I heard him wrong.

- He's your first love. I intend to be your last, however long it takes, he confesses with a gentle voice. Oh... My eyes doesn't leave the Original Hybrid when this one leans in and kisses me on the cheek. Congratulations, Caroline, he whispers sincerely, his face few inches from mine. I laugh softly, unexpectedly elated. Klaus looks around for a moment before he faintly smiles at me. Let's get out of here, before twelve angry hybrids decide to pick a fight, he suggests me while offering me his arm. Right, that might be best... I continue smiling and accept his arm. The two of us walk slowly away from the school field as faint breeze hits us... The cool air of the night...

Damon's P.O.V.

I am standing in front of the fireplace in the parlor room, staring blankly at the flames dancing together. My mind is so full of thoughts and torn between happiness and bother. I am so happy for Gillian and her engagement. She, out of all of us, will probably have the life that we all wish. And I hope she actually will have it. After everything that kid went through, she absolutely deserves it. However, I can't stop thinking about what happened today... About the cure, about Vaughn and all the supernatural ghosts back, about Elena... Why did she want me to take that cure so much? I would have been a weak human that will die in few years... That's not what I want. That's not what I need. Oh...

- I wanted to apologize... I suddenly say as I hear someone entering the room. Elena... I recognize the steps. She stops at some distance from me. I'm glad she actually listened to me and didn't ruin Kol's proposal. Well, it also surprised me...

- Good, she says, interrupting me while crossing her arms over her chest.

- Let me finish. I said I wanted to. And then I realized, I'm not sorry, I reply to her with a serious tone while my eyes are still drown into the flames.

- You would rather die than be human, and you expect me to be okay with that? tells and asks me, Elena, with a mad voice while she slowly approaches me. The brunette frowns upset at me.

- I didn't say you were supposed to be okay with it, I just said I'm not sorry. But you know what I really am? I say and ask her with a serious and upset voice, turning to the girl to finally look at her. I frown back at her, upset. Selfish, because I make bad choices that hurt you. Yes, I would rather have died than be human. I'd rather die right now than spend a handful of years with you, only to lose you when I'm too old and sick and miserable and you're still you. I'd rather die right now than spend my last final years remembering how good I had it and how happy I was, because that's who I am, Elena, and I'm not gonna change. And there's no apology in the world that encompasses all the reasons that I'm wrong for you, I spat at her face with madness, hating that she always wants me to change me or control who I am to be the "perfect" person she wants me to be. I am not going to change for her. I never did it for a girl before, I won't do it today... Elena looks at me for a long moment, her eyes not showing madness anymore but understanding.

- Fine, then I'm not sorry either, she replies while sighing. I quietly sigh as well, looking back at the fire. She's so stubborn... I'm not sorry that I met you. I'm not sorry that knowing you has made me question everything, that in death you're the one that made me feel most alive. You've been a terrible person, you've made all the wrong choices, and of all the choices that I've made this will prove to be the worst one. But I am not sorry that I'm in love with you, she tells me, speaking with a determined and serious voice. What...? I rapidly turn my head back to look at her, seeing her eyes faintly watering up. I love you, Damon, she whispers again. So I didn't hear wrong...? I love y... She repeats for the third time. However, she didn't have time to finish her sentence that I rushed up to her, kissing her with the most passionate kiss I could give her. Elena immediately answers to my kiss, her hands cupping my face at the same time to pull me even more closer to her.

Stefan's P.O.V.

I should have known... How could I be so stupid? Elena never loved me, not since she met Damon... Not since I was gone with Klaus to save my daughter's life and she spent all her time with him. I guess I wasn't meant to be with her... Gillian was right, I can't have both of them in my life... I am sitting on a chair, alone, in another room, as I struggle to keep control over my face. Tears are blurring my sight. Stupid...

- Now who's eavesdropping? I hear my daughter's voice as I feel her placing her hand on my shoulder. My baby... I place my hand over hers, squeezing it. She shouldn't be here... She shouldn't care about what I feel. She should be with Kol celebrating her engagement. You don't need her, dad. You just keep getting hurt with her and that's not right. You deserve a woman who will be in love entirely and madly with you, who can give you the life you deserve and everything that goes with it, she whispers in my ear after she laced an arm around my neck to embrace me. I weakly nod while letting a shaky breathe out.

- I'm sorry, baby, I whisper back to her as I feel a tear rolling down my face.

- Don't be, she answers. Suddenly, Gillian pulls away from me before she walks around my chair. I look up at her and she slowly sits on my lap. My daughter passes one arm around the back of my neck to hold herself before she gently wipes my cheeks. Please, don't cry, daddy. I hate to see you sad, she whispers to me, frowning sadly as well. I crack a small smile at her before taking her hand in mine.

- I won't be sad very long, Lilou. I have you, I answer her truthfully. The two of us smile at each other for a moment when Gillian suddenly leans in to kiss my cheek. I let a small giggle out as I caress her hand. The ring... I hold up her hand to glance at the diamond ring on her finger. I'm so happy for you, baby, I tell her as I stare at the beautiful ring around her finger. Gillian smiles at me while lightly chuckling happily.

- Thank you, daddy. I still can't believe I am going to marry Kol. Now I don't have to call him my "boyfriend", but my "fiancé", I smile and chuckle to her words as I see the light in her eyes. She's so happy and I love it. I put my hand onto the back of her head, bringing her completely against me. I lightly rock us back and forth while kissing the top of her head. I can't lie to her... I can't go like this... I need to tell her...

- Gillian, there's something we need to talk about, I tell her with a serious voice. Slowly, she pulls away from me, frowning confused.

An hour later, I am standing outside, in more comfortable close as I am loading the car with Silas's body. I have nothing better to do and I don't want to stay here. I can't... Not with them living in that house. Gillian is standing next to me, her arms crossed over her chest while she frowns with concern. I know she doesn't want me to do this, but it's just to clear my head. Once this will be done, I'll come back and I'll take Gillian, Kol and Meryll with me. I talked with Gillian about it and she said she would talk to Kol as well. I'm sure he won't disagree. When I was changing, she went to her boyf... Fiancé, God I need to get used to that now, and she explained him everything we talked about. I don't know his answer yet, but I'm sure I will in a few...

- I'm ready. The quicker it will be done, the faster we will be gone, I suddenly hear Kol saying as he comes helping me putting the body in the trunk.

- Are you sure you want to leave? No matter where we're going? I ask to the man while frowning seriously. Him and Gillian are just engaged and... They need to live their life too.

- It doesn't matter where we're going. We're all together, that's what matters, he answers while glancing at Gillian behind him. My daughter cracks a smile at him which he gives her back.

- Stefan? I suddenly hear Damon calling me. Great... Annoyed and slightly upset, I slowly turn to look at my big brother who is standing at the entrance of our supposed home.

- Think the quarry will be deep enough to bury Silas? I ask him, actually avoiding his eyes. I can't look at him... He has what I thought I would have... Now I get the feeling he felt when Katherine choose me and when I got Gillian in my life...

- Yeah, I don't think anyone's gonna stumble on him there, he answers and lightly joke with a small smile, trying to sound like he isn't bothered by my departure. But I know him so well... I nod positively as I continue to load the car with Kol's help.

- You want me to, ah... Proposes, Damon to me.

- No, it's all right. I got Lexi and Kol coming with me, I reply immediately to him, interrupting him mid sentence. Damon nods positively this time, looking down with some sadness... He begins to slowly walk back inside.

- Hey, Damon, I call him. I hear my brother stopping in his tracks as he spins around to look at me. I'm not happy about Elena... But I'm not not-happy for you, either. I just want you to know that, I tell him truthfully, looking at him in the eyes to show him my sincerity. For a moment, Damon stares at me, his eyes showing surprise but still with a point of sadness.

- Thanks, brother, he thanks me with a small voice before looking down. I exchange a glance with Kol before the two of us see Damon looking down at Gillian. My daughter ignores her uncle, staring at us instead. I know she knows he is looking at her. Hum... You're going with them, Gillian? Questions gently, Damon to his niece, as he comes standing next to her. He looks down at her but she doesn't look back at him.

- No, someone has to watch Meryll, she answer to him with a small voice, looking down before clearing her voice.

- Oh... Is all he replies while nodding positively. Right... Carefully, I close the trunk of the car while Kol goes to Gillian. The couple kisses and embraces each other for a small moment before the Original vampire joins the passenger side of the car. I glance at my daughter and wink at her while smiling. Gillian smiles back at me and gently wave her hand. I get in the car and drive away with my best friend who appeared in the backseat and my daughter's fiancé sitting next to me. Let's do this...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I watch the car driving away while sensing my uncle's heavy look on me. Why is he staring at me so intensely? I sigh and look down before turning around and entering back inside my home. I didn't look at Damon a single time. Right... This is my home with dad and Uncle Damon, and not Elena's home. I try to close the door but Damon comes in right behind me.

- Gillian, wait, please, pleads me, Uncle Damon, as he follows me rapidly behind.

- I don't have time, Damon. I need to put Meryll to bed, I reply to my uncle with a small and upset voice, actually trying to avoid him.

- But I want to, he says, catching my wrist and spinning me around. I look up at him, frowning. I need to, he says seriously. I take back my wrist, quietly, and stay in front of him. I guess he has the right to express himself, right? I wanted to apologize for not telling you about the bullet and... The venom it held it.

- What if you were dead? What... What would have I been my last word to you, seriously? I ask him with an upset voice while still frowning at him.

- But I am alive... He answers with a calm voice while pointing at himself.

- Maybe, but you still could have died and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to tell you one last time how much I love you and how much you mean to me as my uncle, I tell him quite louder than before, getting mad. Dad's brother stares at me with his mouth slightly opened, looking almost shocked... Or surprised. I don't really know... I love you, Uncle Damon, even though you're a dick and the most selfish man in the world. You're you and I love you like that. And I loved so much what you told me when you gave me that rose, I admit to him with an emotional voice. Without waiting a second, my uncle passes his hand in my back and brings me immediately against him with a certain strength in his hold. I snake my arms around his back, needing him right now.

- I love you too, Boo. And I really meant all those words back there, he tells me, holding me against him while running his hand up and down on my back. Let's do a deal, you and I never keep a secret like this one from each other again, Okay? He tells me, pulling away and holding his pinkie finger up. I chuckle to his childish motion before nodding my head up and down. I grab his pinkie finger with mine, smiling.

- I promise, I stare into his eyes, my uncle smiling at me at the same time. Right... No more secret... I lose my smile and take back my hand. Damon, since we said no more secret... Dad said he was "okay" with you being with Elena, I begin to tell him before starting to shake my head. Damon stares at me like he already knows what I am about to say. But I'm not. I'm not okay with her living here, I'm not okay with her playing with you. I'm not okay with you two being together. I'm sorry, but... I can't... I admit to him with a serious tone as I take a small step back. My uncle stares at me with a disappointed look before he looks down. I want you happy, Damon. I wish all happiness for you... But not with this relationship. Not with her, I continue to confess to him, speaking with a sorry tone for not being supportive.

- I guess I can respect your choice. That would be the least I could do after today, he whispers to me. I nod understandingly, yet, surprised that he didn't argue with me. Without another word, Damon walks passed me, leaving me alone in the hall. Oh... Right...

Jeremy's P.O.V.

- Hey, I say to Bonnie, telling her of my presence as I walked inside a cave under the school. If people knew what was here, they would be terrified... It's like having demons under your bed. Bonnie turns around after she heard the sound of my voice. I needed to see you, I tell her with a gentle smile.

- I need to close the veil, Jer. The hybrids, and the hunters... She explains to me with a sorry tone while faintly shaking her head negatively.

- I get it, I immediately respond, not blaming her at all. I'm ready. I just... Wanted to be with you when it happened, I admit to her with a serious tone as I stare at the witch. I miss speaking with her... To her. I miss that we can see each other...

- Did you and Elena...? She asks me while frowning with sadness. She doesn't finish her sentence as she seems unable to.

- I can't. I can't say goodbye to her. We said 'no tears' and... I left her a letter. She'll find it when all this is over. I'm ready, I respond to my witch friend with a serious and gentle voice. I guess Elena will be upset that I left without saying goodbye a second time, but that's for the better... Bonnie nods understandingly before she lets a small sigh out. She closes her eyes in concentration, making the flames in the torches flare up immediately. Here we go...

Damon's P.O.V.

- Moon's full, states, Alaric to me, while he looks up at the sky through the window. I hum positively while I pour two drinks. Time is close now... Where's Elena? He asks me, coming over to me.

- She's trying to find Bonnie and Jeremy. She's worried about the time, I answer him while closing the bottle. I look up at the man and see him smirking at me. What? I ask him with a confused frown.

- You got the girl, man, he tells me with a smirk. I stare at him for a moment, as though I still can't quite believe it.

- I got the girl, I repeat while nodding positively. I smile back at him with disbelief.

- Now don't screw it up, he tells me, giving me an advice which I should probably listen to this time. I look back down at the drinks for few seconds before I pick them up.

- Well, with you looking over my shoulder, how can I? I ask him with a playful tone and holding a glass up for him to... Where is he? Is it already time? I look around, seeing that Alaric has completely disappeared. Oh... Goodbye brother. Suddenly, footsteps are coming toward me.

- Uncle Damon, have you seen Uncle Ric? I'd like to tell him goodbye before he goes away. I needed to put Meryll to bed first when I saw the full moon, she tells me with a small smile while looking around the room. Hum... I frown sadly at her, staying quiet. How am I supposed to tell he it is too late? Damon? she calls me, sounding like she is bringing me back to reality.

- He said he loved you more than anything and that he was more than happy for you and Kol, Boo, I tell her with a gentle tone, creating those words to not make her a wreck.

- Oh... She says with a very small voice while taking a stay back. Her eyes are watering up again. Oh... She repeats louder and with a strong emotional tone while she seems to realize that everyone must be gone by now. Kyle, Lexi, Alaric... Jeremy. The tears are already streaming down her face but she immediately wipes them away. The good things never stay forever, right? She tells me, trying to hide her pain. I nod and hum positively, the two of us cracking a weak and sad smile at each other.

- Gillian... I call her while stepping up towards her when her phone suddenly rings. She takes it out and sees who sent her a message.

- I've got to go, Damon. Can you please watch over Meryll for me? I won't be long, She tells and demands me with still an emotional voice while turning around, starting to leave. I nod understandingly despite that she doesn't look at me. I guess I am baby-sitting...

Stefan's P.O.V.

- New York? Asks me, Lexi, with a smile. Her, Kol and I are sitting in the car driving toward the Quarry while discussing about a possible destination.

- Too close, I answer her.

- Vegas! She exclaims with an excited tone.

- Ugh, no. Too touristy, I reply with an annoyed one which made Kol quietly chuckle. My best friend is sitting on the backseat while Kol is still next to me.

- Look, I know you think I'm joking, but you are leaving. You just graduated for the millionth time. It's time to start living your life, responds to me, Lexi, speaking with a serious and encouraging tone. She's right... 163 years that I have been living and I've never really thought about my life...

- What if Elena was... The one? I ask her with a slight sadness in my voice while staring at the road.

- She was. And she will always be an epic love. Contrary to popular belief, there are actually multiple ones... Especially for a vampire. The only way to find another is to let go, and move on, answers, Lexi. I know where Gillian got to speak like this... I glance at my best friend for a moment before I look back at the road.

- I've never been to Portland, I admit to her, suggesting a new place we could go to. I wait for an answer but none comes from her. I look over in the middle rear view mirror, finding out that Lexi has disappeared from the back seat. Oh... The veil must be back up... See ya, Lexi, I whisper with sadness. I stare at the road, almost blankly, when I feel Kol patting my shoulder. I glance at the fiancé of my daughter, seeing him nodding with sorriness. Yeah...

Elena's P.O.V.

- Bonnie, Jer, are you guys here? I call my brother and my best friend while entering the boiler room of the school. Where are they?

- Well, well, I suddenly hear a familiar voice. Startled, I spin around to discover Kyle appearing before me. What is he doing here? Shouldn't he be at the Boarding House? Speaking of unfinished business, he says with hate in his voice. I frown confused when he suddenly attacks me, throwing me to the ground. Ah! I didn't see this coming... I gasp to the shock when my back collided with the ground. Quickly, I brace myself, scared, but just as suddenly as the attack started... Nothing happened. What? Why isn't he doing anything? I open my eyes, still scared, when I remark that Kyle has vanished. Oh... I get up and spin on myself, realizing what must have happened. No... The veil is up again... Jeremy! Without having time to process what just happened, a noise nearby me is heard. Oh maybe... I turn around rapidly, finding a familiar face there. No...

- Happy graduation, cupcake, tells me, Katherine, before she slams me hardly against a wall.

Bonnie's P.O.V.

- It's almost closed, I tell to Jeremy as I see him breathing nervously.

- So this is it? 'Cause there were a million things I wanted to say to you, but now nothing seems quite right, he asks and tells me with a strong nervousness while he approaches me rapidly. It's like he is scared to be gone again...

- Then don't say anything, I reply to my friend, him and I standing in front of each other. I can't go away... Not without doing this... Rapidly, I get on my tip toes and kiss him with all passion I can put. I've waited for so long for this, I had to do it at least once... Suddenly, all the torches flare up before going out, plunging us in darkness. Right... It's finally done. I pull away from Jeremy, him and I still staring at each other. This is it... However, Jeremy gasps all of a sudden, backing away and clutching at his chest.

- What's happening? He asks me with a confused and nervous tone after what just happened.

- Oh, my God, I whisper before giving him a small and triumphant laugh. I did it...

- What is it? He asks me, still confused.

- It worked, Jer. I did a spell that brought you back. I didn't think it would work, but I... I closed the veil and you're still... Here, I explain to him with a happy tone before realizing something. He is still here... Elena has her brother back!

- I'm alive? He questions to me with disbelief, struggling for his words. I nod positively, my eyes watering up happily for him. He rushes up towards me, laughing joyfully and with disbelief. His hands go on my waist as mines go on his neck. His so... Perfect. If only I was still alive... Suddenly, Jer's face falls when I touch his neck. I can't feel your hand, he tells me with a surprised tone. Of course... I close my eyes for a second, tears rolling down my cheeks. What's going on, Bonnie? Why can't I feel you? He asks me seriously.

- It's okay, I whisper, trying to reassure him.

- Bonnie, what did you do? He repeats firmly his question, speaking slightly louder and still with as much seriousness as before.

- I have the witches, and my grams... You can see ghosts, we can talk whenever we want, I tell him gently and calmly, speaking with a small voice while touching his chest. His heart beating against my hand... It feels so right.

- No... No! No, you can't be dead, he exclaims with a strong disapproval in his voice while shaking his head negatively.

- Do me this one favor : you tell Elena, Caroline and Gillian, if you can, that I'm spending the summer with my mom, I demand him with a serious tone while staring up into his eyes.

- I can't. They need to know, he replies to me with a sad voice, his eyes never leaving mines.

- For the first time in forever, my friends are okay. I don't want to take that from them, I say, insisting for him to keep the secret. For a moment, Jer and I stare at each other, like all our emotions and words are passing through our eyes. However, I had to break that contact... I slowly and reluctantly walk past Jeremy, walking slowly away from him. I stop few feet away to look back at him. I'm not gone and I already miss him... Good point, he can still see me, talk to me... Jer has turned around to watch me go. The pain in his eyes... I'm gonna be okay, I promise, I whisper to him seriously, reassuring him about me. He was fine there, so will I... I faintly smile one last time at him before walking over to Grams who is waiting for me. I take my Grams's hand in mine before the two of us walk away together. This is a new... Beginning? A new end? I don't really know...

Matt's P.O.V.

- Hey...What are you doing here? I greet and ask to Rebekah after opening the front door of the Lockwood mansion. This is where I am staying at lately. Tyler gave me his house a while ago before he went away, I am the owner. Rebekah smiles softly at me.

- I just wanted to see if you were okay. Rough day and whatnot, she replies with a kind voice, faintly smiling.

- Thanks. Look, I'd invite you in, but I promised Tyler I was gonna keep this a low-vampire zone, I tell her sincerely, admitting also what I said to Tyler months ago. Rebekah nods understandingly, staying quiet before me. Actually, she seems to hesitate over her next words.

- I know that we were under duress today, so... Whatever, you know, plans that we were making...I understand if you don't want to, she tells me with a nervous voice, staring at me. Right, the conversation on the parking lot when my life was depending on that explosive device...

- You and I... This isn't gonna work. I need to keep my love life a low-vampire zone, too, okay? I tell her truthfully and seriously, staring into her eyes.

- Of course. I get it, she answers, forcing herself to smile against my words. Clearly hurt, she turns around and starts to leave.

- So whatever happens on the road, stays on the road, all right? I tell and ask her, speaking again. Rebekah stops in her tracks before turning around, smiling at me. I didn't know just saying that would bring such a smile on her face. That little wedding town in Italy? Don't get any ideas about turning me into a vampire so that we can live eternally ever after, you know what I mean? I warn her with a joking tone, smiling kindly at the blonde Original vampire standing before me again. Who knew I would have said that to her one day? Few months ago, I hated her, now...

- I'm sorry, are you saying...? She asks me with an unsure tone as her smile seems to not leave her face.

- I've never set one foot outside of this town. I have no college plans, no idea what the future holds for me... But I do know that it's time that I start truly living. And, since you almost killed me this year, I figured it's your obligation to show me how, I reply to her with a smirk. Rebekah grins happily while she nods her head up and down. Shyly, she looks down for a moment, her grin never leaving her face. Well, I guess I have a long and fun summer coming before me...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I finish to walk around the school, frowning confused. Mom said she would be here... She sent me a text message back at when I was still at the Boarding House. I don't know why she wants to see me, but she wanted to. And truthfully, I need to talk to my mom too. Uncle Ric, Aunt Lexi, Kyle and... Jeremy are all gone now... It's back to normal without my family... I spin on myself, passing my hand through my hair. Come on, mom... I take my phone out to reread her message. Maybe I misread something?

- "Hey, Little Fang, a little bird told me that my daughter has had a very happy eventful night... I'd like to see you at school to congratulate you. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there when he proposed. I wish I could have but... Let's keep this day joyful. Obicham te, bebe." I reread her message with attention. "Obicham te, bebe"... I smile to the end of the message before frowning confused again. If she knew about my engagement, where is she then? I try to call her again, but I cannot hear any beeping sound. Voicemail... Come on! What if something happened to her? What if one of those vampire hunters, hybrids, vampires or witches did something to her before being gone again? That's so not good... I look back at my phone and rapidly call my father. He'll know what to do... I only wait for two beeps before he answers to my call.

- Gillian? What's going on? He asks me with a confused tone.

- Dad, can you come to the school? I think something is wrong, I ask and tell him with a nervous tone while still looking around me. I don't feel safe...

- What? What are you doing at school? He questions me, still sounding confused with a mixed of concern as well.

- Mom sent me a message half an hour ago to meet her there but I can't find her. Dad, I think someone must have been here before I came because I don't see why she isn't here, I tell him with still a nervous tone, which gets into a scared one. In the background of the phone call, I can hear the wheels skidding on the ground before he comes to a stop. Then, the engine goes back on.

- We're on our way back to you, baby. Stay where you are, he tells me with a serious tone. I nod even though he cannot see me and hang up. I look around again, carefully.

- Come on, mom. Where are you? I whisper to myself with a concerned tone. Could she be inside the school?

Katherine's P.O.V.

- What are you doing? Asks me, Elena, with a mad tone after I threw her against a door in the school. Elena slides it down, groaning at the same time.

- Would you believe I'm having a bad day? I ask her, picking her up by her throat and throwing her against a wall of lockers this time. Gosh, this feels so good to do... Elena gets up with her vampire speed but before she could do something, I speed over and kick up my leg to press my booted foot over Elena's neck. It started when Bonnie denied me my Silas-like immortality, I reply with madness against the Bennett witch, keeping the Gilbert against the lockers wall. Bennett witches can definitely not be trusted...

- Of course, because Katherine Pierce can't be happy with good old vampire-caliber immortality, answers, Elena, with venom in his voice. Suddenly, she finally manages to throw off my foot, using her leverage to slam me to the ground. Oh... This is not going to happen like this! Immediately, I get up and slam Elena back against another wall of lockers. B*tch! She really thinks she can defeat me? Elena rips off one of the lockers door and swings it against at my face with all her vampire strength. Oh... She then hits me in the stomach with it, but I grab onto it at the same time. Too bad for you, little girl...

- I deserved it. I never had a graduation, or a prom, or, you know, a life. But you did, I tell her with anger and hate while holding strongly onto the locker door. Elena tries to pull it out of my grip, but she struggles. Stronger than her, I suddenly swing the door into Elena's face, sending her back a pace. If she thought she could beat me... You have everything, and it's not because you're a good little girl who deserves happiness, it's because you stole mine, I tell her with probably jealousy in my voice, but mainly anger. I have been alive for over 500 years and I never had the happiness she has. That's just unfair! Out of rage, I furiously throw the door at Elena, who ducks down to dodge it. The door lodges into the other lockers which makes Elena gasps in shock.

- I stole your happiness? You killed my brother! I should kill Gillian for that! Asks and spats at me, Elena, frowning with anger and speaking with hate and disgust in her voice when she mentioned my daughter. This is the wrongest move she could have done... I vamp out and snarl at Elena before running at her. I push her against the lockers and slam her head against it three times before kicking her in the stomach, sending her few feet away from me. Nobody threats my baby... Elena gets up and I run over to her again but she blocks me by surprise and throws me down the hall. Argh, great... I immediately get back up, snarling at Elena a second time.

- I'll admit, that was nasty. But you won't be able to ever hurt Gillian because this is the last time I am going to hear you threatening my baby girl, I reply seriously and threateningly to the brunette as the veins are still popped up under my eyes. Yelling in fury, Elena rushes at me to attack me. However, I grab her and twist her arm before throwing her at a fire emergency case. The glass in the door of it shatters as Elena slams hardly her head against it. Ah, what a move! That is more me... Elena slides down to the ground again, hurt. Struggling on the floor, she begins to crawl slowly, trying to go away from me. I don't think so, little girl... I walk over, seeing a janitor's mop propped against the wall. Just what I needed... I break off the wooden handle before following Elena as I swing the wooden handle. I have nothing, I tell her with anger before beating her with the stick on the back. Elena groans in pain, almost screaming. But I'm about to change that, I say with a determined voice before kicking her in the stomach. The brunette vampire spins around on herself, laying on her back due to the strength on my kick.

- Kicking someone while they're down... Classy till the end, Katherine, tells me, Elena, with a painful and struggling voice. I laugh at her, enjoying this.

- Your end, I correct her. Suddenly, I stab the broken end of the stick into Elena's throat. Exactly... Elena gulps and struggles against it as I dig it in deeper. That's right...

Elena's P.O.V.

Flashback at the Boarding House earlier with Stefan

- You deserve whatever you want out of life. You deserve this, I tell to Stefan, him and I standing in that room apart from the others. I am holding his hand, where I placed the cure. I want him to have it, I truly do...

- Listen... I'm glad you're okay with who you are now. But every single thing I did to get this, I did for you, so that the choice of whether you wanted to be a vampire or not would always be yours, he tells me with seriousness, staring into my eyes while he hands me back the cure. So neither Damon or him will take it...

End of the flashback

I gasp for air as I feel my throat suddenly free. Above me, Katherine is standing there. Just as she pulled the stick out of my throat, she plunges her hand into my chest, reaching for my heart. No... I gasp, unable to scream as pain takes control of my whole body. Oh my God... She has a complete hold onto my heart... Squeezing it... I search frantically into a pocket of my jacket. Come on, I know it is still there...

- Bye-bye, little girl, tells me, Katherine with a smirk. No... Suddenly, I finally pull the cure out of my pocket and shove it instantly into Katherine's mouth. I force her jaw to close around it, forcing her to chew it. Suddenly, Katherine's eyes widen, telling me that the cure has dissolved in her mouth. Yes! The vampire... Or should I say, the future old human falls to the floor beside me, unconscious... Or dead for now. I smirk, happy of what I've just done. This is what should have happened long ago...

- Have a nice human life, Katherine, I say to the girl next to me, laughing joyfully despite the pain. God, it feels good to be free...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I open the door of the school after doing one last round. I just wanted to be sure... Why sending me a message if she isn't here? Maybe it's a trap? I don't know? Quietly and discretely, I adventure myself into the building, the light of the full moon being the only thing to shine the hallways. It's weird because... I don't feel like there is someone here actually. I approach the doors of the cafeteria and look inside. Nobody... Just clean tables and clean chairs. I continue my way down the hall, looking in every classroom through the windows. Still, no sight of her. Mom, come on...

- Mom, where are you? I call her as I fold my arms over my stomach. It kind of feel cold to be here. Mom? I call her again, entering a new hall. Oh... What is she doing here? Elena? I call the brunette at the end of the hall. She turns around and looks at me, clearing struggling to stay up, before she rushes away. What? God, I wish I could switch the light on... There's only a faint light in this one... A locker door got snatched... Wait... Why was Elena doing here? What happened? Why is a locker door snatched? I look further into the hall, squinting my eyes as I remark someone laying on the ground. Hello? I call the person with a careful tone. Who did she attacked? I slowly approach the body, looking behind me at the same time until I have a good sight over my mother's face. No! Mom! I call her with a scared tone as I throw myself next to her. Mom? Mom? Open your eyes! Mom! I call and order her with a serious and scared voice. At the same time, I shake her body, hoping it will bring her back to consciousness. Mom! Why are you not... I begin to say when I realized where I have my hand place. Her heart... Why can't I feel it beating? I slowly lean in, placing my ear over her mouth to listen for any breathing. Oh God... Panicking, I pull away and place two fingers on her neck. No... Ahh!! Mom!! Mom!! You've got to wake up, please!! You can't leave me alone!! Mom!! I scream with fear and sorrow as my hands begin to shake. She can't be dead! I continue to shake her body until placing my hands on her chest, ready to do CPR. I have to save her, I have to!

- Gillian? I hear someone calling my name with a nervous and worried tone. I don't answer and stay concentrate on doing CPR to my mother. The tears are already flooding my cheeks. Gillian?! Calls me, the same person again, sounding relieved to see me. In a second, the familiar presence of my fiancé is next to me. Still, I don't look up at him. I continue counting, crying and hoping to save my mother.

- Lilou? Calls me, my father, joining my other side. A hand goes on my back but I push it away.

- Mommy! Please open your eyes for me! I say to my unconscious mother while shaking her body again. Why isn't she waking up? Why isn't CPR working?!

- Baby... Calls me, dad. However, he didn't have time to finish his sentence that I turn to him, grabbing his collar with one hand.

- Dad... Help Mom, please... I plead him with fright as my hand is pretty shaking. Dad stares at my hurt face with sadness before he looks up at Kol.

- Darling, come here. Come here, whispers, Kol to me, taking me under my arms to lift me up.

- Mom... I call my mother as I see myself stepping away from her. No... I start to sob a bit more while struggling in Kol's grip. Dad checks mom, taking her pulse and her heartbeat. He looks up at us, frowning sadly and with sorry.

- Lilou... Is all he says. Saying my name was enough to make me understand the message... No... I refuse to believe it.

- No... No, no, she's not dead, dad, she... I say with a scared and crying voice when I see mom's head moving. She did move, right? She moved! She moved! I exclaim rapidly, sniffling sadly before rushing to her sides again. Mom? Mom? I call my mother with hope before I lean in over her mouth again to hear any breathing. Nothing...? So she didn't move? But I saw her moving!!

- Gillian... Calls me calmly, my father, as he tries to reach for my face. However, he couldn't since I laid down next to mom before he could touch me. She has to wake up...

- She's not dead! She's not dead! She's... I tell them through my sobs as I place my head next to my mother. You have to come back, please. I need you, mom... You can't leave me like this, I say lowly, sobbing at the same time. I touch her hair, playing gently with them. I can't lose her! I forbid you to leave me like this! I say louder, sitting up again. Mom? Come on, move. Open your eyes... Breathe! Say something. Mommy! I say, then scream, hoping her eyes will get open at any moment by now.

- Darling, come here, tells me, Kol, again, picking me up a second time.

- No... I start to say as he leads us away from mom. No! No! Bring me back to my mom! No! I scream through my sobs before starting to struggle into Kol's arms as I try to push him away. Kol, please! No! No, no, no... I keep repeat, my voice slowly fading as I let my body sinking to the ground. Kol follows me in my fall, holding me tightly against him. I have my head resting onto his shoulder, sobbing hardly while my left hand is gripping strongly onto his shirt. Mom... I whisper.

- It's going to be okay, Darling. I promise you. None of us are leaving your sides, he whispers sweetly to me, rocking us lightly as his hand goes up and down my back. God, I'm so sorry, Beautiful. I'm so sorry... He apologizes to me, placing few kisses on my head to sooth me.

I stare at my mother's body for a moment, eyes full of salty pearls that stream down my face like a waterfall. Dad looks up at us, his eyes faintly watering up to the sight of me. Slowly, I lift my hand up to him, still crying hardly. It should have been my best day today... Dad instantly gets up and runs up to me, kneeling next to Kol. My fiancé helps me moving to my father's arms. Everything seems to get slower... It's horrible... Dad holds me tightly against him at well, kissing my head too as he sooth me softly.

- Daddy... I whisper as I sob into his neck.

- Shh, baby, let it go. All your sadness... Let it go, he whispers to me as he begins to lightly rock us.

I breathe and cry shakily for a moment, staying in her arms. I have my right arms around my father's back, my chin is resting on his shoulder, when I suddenly feel Kol grabbing my left hand into his. I look up at him as I feel him squeezing my hand with comfort. Tears continue to roll down my face which saddens my fiancé even more. I slowly calm down, taking a good half an hour. I don't know how dad does this. Maybe because he used to be the one to rock me when I was young? Maybe because as my father he knows what to do? I sniffle few time while pulling away from Dad's embrace for the first time in half and hour. Both men look at me with sorriness and sadness, staying quiet. I guess, it's going to be a long night...

Stefan's P.O.V.

After leaving my baby girl at home with her uncle and Meryll, Kol and I finally reached the Quarry. I still can't believe what happened to Katherine. I mean, we don't really know what happened, but... She isn't of this world anymore... I've never seen Gillian react like this before. It broke me when I heard her screaming and speaking to try to wake Katherine up. She was so sure that she would come back. And when she thought she had moved... My little baby... She was supposed to be happy today, not... Grieving and be in sorrow. I park the car at the edge of the Quarry and Kol and I exit the engine. I can sense the madness from the Original. He is raging against whoever killed Katherine, and I get it. I am raging too. I don't know what those next days, weeks or even months are reserving for us or the person who killed the birth mother of my child, but I know it will definitely be hectic... Kol opens the trunk of the car before he helps me unloading the canvas bag that contains Silas's remain. We toss it to the ground, its content sounding like a bunch of loose pieces. What? That doesn't sound normal... Kol and I exchange a confused glance together when the Original kicks it. That sound is definitely not right... I crouch and reach inside the bag to only find shards of ordinary stone.

- Don't tell me... I hear Kol telling me with an annoyed and upset tone.

- He's gone, I state to the boy, speaking with the same tone before I throw one of the shard pieces away.

Gillian's P.O.V.

I am sitting in an armchair in my living-room, back at the Boarding House. A blanket is wrapped up around me as the fireplace is invaded by the flames. I still can't believe that mom is gone. She... My brain can't even think or process what happened. My eyes are blankly staring at the flames dancing together in the fireplace, my mind completely blank as well. However, the tears falling down my cheeks time to time sometimes brings me back to reality. But only for a second... I want to go back in time and prevent whoever killed my mom. But I don't have that power... If only... Maybe if she came to the Boarding House earlier, none of this would have happened?

- Princess, I suddenly hear my uncle calling me with a gentle voice. In the corner of my eyes, I see him kneeling quietly before me. I don't answer him or even look at him and continue to stare blankly at the flames. Flames... I don't have that flame inside me right now... Hey, do you wanna talk? He softly asks me, placing one of his hand on my knee. New tears roll down my face as a huge lump in formed down my throat. It's almost choking me... And that pain in my chest... I'm so sorry. Your mom loved you so much, Boo. I know she didn't love many people but, you were so special to her... I don't doubt that. I'm sure you thought she was special too. We all did at least once. But it might be better for her to be... I listen to him speaking with a calm and sweet voice while feeling his hand squeezing my knee time to time. However, when he mentioned her being gone being a better thing, I immediately looked at him. A tear fell down at the same time as my eyes landed on him. She's in peace and safe now. She doesn't risk any danger anymore, Princess, he tells me with his soft voice while lightly frowning sadly to the sight of my tears.

- I should have saved her, I manage to whisper to my uncle as anger flashes through my eyes.

- Hey, there was nothing you could have done, replies immediately, Damon, trying to reassure me the best he can.

- I should have killed Elena in the boiler room, when her heart was in my hand, I say with anger as I look back at the fire. god, I'm boiling right now... Damon stays quiet for a moment, looking surprised and confused. Right, I didn't say I saw Elena there, but even the dumbest person would know that it was her who did this... I shouldn't have listened to dad.

- Elena, whispers, Uncle Damon with a confused frown before he closes his eyes, realizing why I said her name. It wouldn't have changed anything... Answers, Damon, while he shakes his head negatively.

- It would have changed everything! I exclaim with anger, looking back at him as I am slowly losing it. Mom would still be here... She would... She... She would be with me, Damon... I say, my voice cracking as I suddenly cannot talk louder than a whisper anymore.

- Boo, the town was crowded of supernatural ghosts. Elena is a vampire so a supernatural creature. She would have still killed her, replies, Damon, with a serious and calm voice. Is that supposed to make me feel better? I shake my head negatively, letting a sob out. Hey, hey, it's okay...

- I know you're in a relationship with Elena, but if I ever cross path with her, if I ever see her even if it is from one side to another of this town... She'll be ripped up piece by piece by my bare hands, Damon. I will make sure she suffers first, torturing her until she pleads me to stop. I will burn her ripped up heart to be sure she will never come back. I'll cut her tongue and will snatch her eyes out and will give them to wild animals. And then, I'll disperse her body members all across the world after grinding them completely. I do not care what can happen to me after that. All ghosts of the world can come after me, you can come after me, I don't care. I'll revenge mom no matter the cost, I explain and express all my anger to my uncle. All while talking, my eyes didn't blink once and didn't leave his once, showing him my seriousness. I'm sure, at this point, my eyes are as dark as the darkness. Damon's eyes widened more and more, looking surprised of my saying.

- Gillian, you're grieving and hurt. You're not making sense... He tells me after clearing his throat.

- I'm not weak, Damon. I think I've passed that step with everything I've been though. I'm rebounding. Elena has done the worse thing she could have ever done and she'll regret it. You can warn her, you can try to protect her, you can try to hide her. I do not care. I'll find enough people who wants her dead, I reply to him with a determined, raging and serious tone. For a long moment, the two of us stare at each other, staying quiet. There's clearly a tension in here... I push Damon's hand away from my knee, scoffing and sobbing when my phone suddenly vibrates. I take it and remark that it is dad who left me a voicemail. I didn't hear it ring... It's on silent mode...

- "Hey Lilou, it's Daddy. Just want to make sure you're fine at the Boarding House with your uncle. Don't stay by yourself, Sweetie, it won't do any good. You're strong and it's just a bad moment. But we will get through this because you're not alone, Honey. Kol and I do what we have to do rapidly and we'll come back right after. You won't even remark we were gone. Okay? I'm so sorry for tonight, baby. I love you so much. Don't forget that. I love you, Lilou." I listen to the voicemail dad left me before hanging up. Right... I pass my hand over my face, wiping my cheeks before sniffling sadly. I glance one more time at Damon before getting up.

- I need to go check up on Meryll to see if she is asleep, I whisper to my uncle with a sad tone as I walk out of the living-room. Damon stays silent, but I heard him lightly sighing. It sounded like he didn't know what to do. And he isn't the only one...

Stefan's P.O.V.

I put my phone back into my pocket after leaving a voicemail to my baby girl. I'm worried for her. I knew she was attached to her moment lately, more than ever before, but I didn't know it was that strong. I was so hurt when I saw her crying over her mother's body. And when she held her hand up for me to come over to her... I thought I was going to break too. I didn't know what else to do to help her. She's my kid and she doesn't deserve to live such pain. Especially on that day... I sigh and look up at the sky as I put my hands on my hips. What are we going to do with... Whatever is left in the bag? Where's Silas? That's truly bad because it means that he can be any of us again... Argh, my mind is so bothered by my little girl's pain that I can't think straight. I look back down when I suddenly hear Kol groaning off pain. What?

- Kol? I call my daughter's fiancé with a confused and concerned tone. I swear I heard something...

- Don't bother. I'm not there, I suddenly hear a familiar voice. She isn't supposed to be here... Well, it isn't her, isn't it? I turn around and see Silas... Or the version of Elena that Silas took. He approaches me from behind. When I see her... Him, the person stopped walking.

- Silas. You were stone. They saw you, the spell worked, I state with a confused tone as I don't understand how he can be standing there.

- That's the funny thing about spells... They're bound by Nature. Nature demands balance, so every spell has a loophole. The spell that turned me into stone was bound by a witch... A living witch. So when that witch died, the spell broke, he explains to me with a smirk, looking at me like he actually won over all of us. Wait, what...?

- Bonnie? Bonnie's not dead, I ask and tell him, still frowning confused with all of what is happening here.

- It doesn't matter, does it? And here's where the mystery of me comes full circle. I created the immortality spell two thousand years ago. I can never die, so Nature needed to find a balance... A version of me that could die. A shadow-self... A doppelgänger, he continues to explain to me with seriousness. I can see him lightly smirking as he sounds proud of what he has done. However, something seems off...

- So, this is finally your real face? You're another one of them? I question to the immortal, still frowning confused.

- Not exactly, answers, Silas. What? I stare at him when his face suddenly changes into... Oh my God... How's that possible? Hello, my shadow-self, greets me, Silas, still smirking. But... How? How can he look exactly like me? How... I am a doppelganger as well or...? Is he tricking me? Silas slowly approaches me when he suddenly stabs me in the gut with a stake. I groan in pain as I didn't see it coming. No... Do you have any idea what it's like to starve for two thousand years? Asks me, Silas, his voice speaking into a low and threatening tone.

The immortal man lets go of me and I fall onto my knees, hurt. Gillian... No, I can't go away as well... She can't lose her mother, her father and her fiancé in one night. She will... She will completely lose it... Suddenly, Silas picks me up by the back of my collar and throws me into something metallic. The safe... No! I hear him locking it up, making sure I cannot exit it. No, no, no,... It wasn't supposed to happen like this... I feel the safe moving before it falls into a deep fall. My heart beats so fast into my chest as I feel the safe hitting something hard before it hits water. He tipped it over the edge of the cliff into the Quarry... I can't stay here... I can't leave my baby girl. I can't... Panicking, I bang against every sides of the safe as it begins to fill with water. No, no! Gillian!

Flashback to her first time she fell from a bike

- Come on, Lilou. You're almost there, I say to my four years old little girl, watching and encouraging her on her bike. She started biking only three days ago but she progressed really fast. I smile at her, seeing her approaching me more and more, giggling when she suddenly falls on the side. My baby girl begins to cry as she gets up with her little body. I rush over to her, kneeling before her. Oh, baby, it's okay. It's nothing, I say while picking her up in my arms.

- I falled... She tells me through her baby cries, making her baby grammatical mistake. I see her looking down at her knee. I glance at it as well, seeing it is a bit red, but not bleeding.

- Fell, baby. We say "I fell", I correct her while weakly chuckling. The tears on her cheek keep falling as I slowly rub her knee to ease her pain. It's okay you don't have anything. Look, I say putting her down at the same time. I bent down and place a kiss on her knee where she hurt herself. Now, you can't be hurt because I give you the magic kiss, I tell her with a small smile while still rubbing her knee.

- Magic kiss? She asks me with a confused tone, breathing shakily because of her cries.

- It's a special and powerful kiss that only fathers have to help their little girl to never be hurt, I answer her with a gentle voice while I wipe her cheeks. I don't like to see those tears on her face... Suddenly, I see a smile spreading on her sweet face.

- You're the super hero of my stories! She exclaims while laughing a bit.

- Maybe I am, I tell her, smiling and nodding positively. And do you know who you are in my stories? I ask her while replacing her shirt correctly. Gillian shakes head negatively. You, baby, are the strong and fearless little princess of each of my stories, I reply to my little girl with a serious voice while still smiling at her. How can you not smile to her sweet face?

- Really? So you have magic stories too? She asks me, her hands going on each of my shoulders to hold herself.

- Yes, absolutely. And you know what? I need that princess everyday and night to be happy, I tell her softly as I see her smiling more and more. And do you know what I need too? I then ask her while picking her up. Gillian shakes her head negatively again. I need my Lilou to go wash up her hands because I am sure that this little belly here would love a little piece of chocolate cake that Aunt Lexi made, I say with a chuckle while doing some tickles on her stomach. My daughter laughs happily in my arms before he leans on my shoulder, hugging me. I kiss the top of her head while holding her tightly. Yeah, she's my biggest pride and achievement...

End of the flashback

I continue banging on the walls of the safe, the water getting in more and more as the safe sinks completely in the Quarry. No! I need my daughter! I want her... I'm... I'm scared...

Flashback to Gillian losing her first teeth

- Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! I hear my baby girl calling me while she runs across the whole house. I look up from the knife and vegetables I was making for her, seeing her sweet little face appearing in the kitchen. Look! She says before smiling and showing the small gap in her teething. Oh... It finally fell! She exclaims happily, almost jumping around excited. I laugh as I hold my hand for her to place her tooth.

- Oh, baby, that's amazing! I tell her while she places her tooth in my hand. Did it hurt?

- No, I didn't feel anything. I sneezed and she flied our of my mouth, she admits to me while laughing of herself. I laugh along with her, loving to see that joy on her face and in her eyes.

- Well, that's an adventure, I tell her with an amused tone. I grab her hand and place the tooth back in it. Don't forget to put it under your pillow so the little teeth fairy can bring you a little surprise, I remind her with a gentle smile before winking at her.

- Yes, daddy. I'm going to do it now, she responds, turning around and already running toward her bedroom. I laugh amused as I watch her running away. She's my crazy little ball of light...

End of the flashback

I scream and bang on the sides and the door of the safe, panicking more and more. My heart beats so fast and so strongly. I'm so scared... Shouting out, the water suddenly engulfs my face, causing me to close my eyes and hold my breathing as long as can. A happy thought... As the darkness rapidly consumes me, my last thought was drawn to my little girl running over to me, smiling and laughing until she threw herself in my arms... She is what I lived for every days, she is what I loved the most, she is what I achieved the best in my life and she is the person I last thought about...

Gillian's P.O.V.

I quietly close Meryll's door after making sure she was well asleep. I think I stayed there for past half an hour, thinking, grieving, waiting, in pain... It almost bring me to think happiness isn't for me. I even asked myself if deserve happiness. Whenever something good happens it is always darkened by something or someone. I enter my bedroom and take my phone to listen to some music quietly. Wait... Shouldn't dad and Kol be here by now? Confused, I walk out of my bedroom and rush downstairs to not make any sound. I don't want Meryll to wake up. I reach the living-room, finding Damon standing before the fireplace with a drink in his hand. He turns around as he heard me, looking at me confused and concerned. Argh, this feels awkward now... After what I told him earlier... But I don't take it back. I meant it.

- Hum... Are dad and Kol back? I ask him with a little awkwardly while half avoiding his eyes.

- No, but they shouldn't be long now, he tells me seriously and gently. I hum positively before looking down concerned. Boo, calls me, Damon, causing me to look back up at him. Do you want me to call your father to make sure they're fine? He asks me with a suggestive tone. Damon places his drink down before he approaches me. Quietly, I nod positively. I'm surprised he even proposed... My uncle passes his hand in my back to reassure me as he takes his phone out. He calls dad like he told me but immediately falls on the voicemail. The two of us frown confused, exchanging a glance. That's not normal... Uncle Damon tries to call dad again, but it is the same. Voicemail... I'm sure they're fine, Gillian, he tells me while I step back shaking my head negatively.

- I'm going there, I tell him running to the front door.

- No, Gillian,... I hear my uncle calling me with a urgent tone, but I didn't listen to him. Instead, I vamp-speed to the Quarry, worried for my family. I can't lose my father nor my fiancé. Not after what already happened... I need them with me...

In less than five minutes, I arrive to the Quarry, but it is empty. What? I look down at the ground, spinning on myself. There is no tracks of a car... They were not here. Where did they... The cliff... Yes, that's where they must went to! I rush up there immediately and find the car dad took with Kol. Yes! I smile, relieved to see the car... Hum, where are they though? Slowly, my smile fades away and a confused frown is plastered on my face. I look around me carefully. It's calm... Too calm. I slowly begin to walk around the car when I find a body laying on the ground with a stake through the chest. No!

- No... No! No, no! Kol? Kol? I call my fiancé with a scared voice. I rush up to him and kneel down immediately, placing his head on my legs. Come on, wake up, Handsome! Kol? You can't leave me too. We're supposed to get married and have our own house and kids and... I say with my eyes already watering up. The stake! I grab hold of it and retrieve the wooden stick out before throwing it away, hitting something in the process. I can hear footsteps behind me, but I don't care of who it can be. Kol, please! You can't leave me too... Baby, wake up... I call him as I remark his body turned grayish and covered of veins. No... I cry, the tears falling down my cheeks.

- Gillian... I heard my uncle calling me with a small voice.

- Leave me alone... I tell him with my crying and broken voice, starting to lightly shake.

- Gillian, it wasn't a White Oak stake, he suddenly tells me. What? I turn to look at him, seeing my uncle holding the stake I threw away. He'll be back in few hours, maybe less, he reassures me, placing his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezing it. I glance back down at Kol before laughing nervously and relieved, mixed up with tears. Thank God! I place a kiss on my fiancé forehead before pushing some of his hair. He's coming back... But where's dad then? I look up with my teary cheeks, losing my smile.

- Dad? I call for my father. Neither, Damon or I make a sound, waiting for an answer. But there was nothing... Not a sound. Damon gets up and walks around the car to look at our surroundings. I gently place Kol back down on the ground before getting up and following Damon. Dad! Daddy?! I call for my father again, screaming louder to make sure he heard me. But with his vampire hearing he should have heard me the first time...

- Stefan? Calls, Damon, as well, sounding worried for his brother.

- Dad? Dad? I call for my father again, getting more and more scared for him. I run around the car, doing a whole circle before glancing inside through the windows. Nobody's in the car... Where is he? I look at my uncle, seeing him glancing inside the trunk with a confused look. Damon, what are you looking at? I ask him, approaching his sides. I look inside the trunk as well, but there is nothing. My uncle nervously looks around us when he remarks a bag on the ground. Oh... That was the bag containing Silas, I state while pointing at it. Damon stays quiet again while he nervously shakes his head negatively. Why isn't he talking? Damon, where's the body? Where's the safe? Where's dad?! I ask to my uncle with nervousness and a scared tone, almost losing it. Again, my uncle doesn't answer me. Damon, talk to me before I lose it! I scream, boiling inside due to my fear. I look down, knowing I shouldn't have talked to him like that.

- I don't know, Boo, I don't know. Let-Let's go home, he tells me with a slight confused voice while walking passed me and towards Kol. What? No!

- Damon! I'm not going anywhere until I find my father, I reply seriously to my uncle, my voice breaking.

- He isn't here, Gillian. You can't do anything! answers, Damon, almost screaming at me while he frowns upset. Why is he so upset at me for wanting to find my father?

- But Silas is gone and... I start to say, pointing at the bag again as my eyes are watering up again.

- Gillian, we'll find Stefan but... interrupts me, Damon, walking back over to me.

- Silas took dad, didn't he? I immediately ask my uncle, interrupting him as well. Damon stops in his tracks and stares at me quietly. Wait... He really does think that... I shake my head negatively, my face grimacing sadly as my sight begins to get completely blurry. I step backwards toward the car but Damon rushes to me, grabbing my hands in his.

- Hey, hey, don't worry. I'll find your father and he will be fine, he tells me calmly and with a comforting tone. I continue to shake my head when everything suddenly starts to spin. Ah... When I found mom at school, everything was slow, but knowing dad is gone and probably dead... Everything just stopped. Dizzy, I feel my body suddenly sinking on the ground, giving up. I feel Damon trying to hold me up, but he accidentally loses his grip on me. In my fall, I bump my head on the side of the car, causing me to let a groan mixed up with my cry out. That hurt... But not as much as the pain I am feeling right now. Damon follows me in my fall, now tightly gripping onto my vest as he makes sure I stay in a sitting position. Oh God... I'm choking again... Severely... Gillian? Gillian? It's okay, breathe. It's okay. I know it's a hard day, I know you lost a lot of people but it's going to be okay. Nothing is completely lost, he tells me calmly and with a serious tone. He grabs my chin and forces me to look up into his eyes so I can see that what he said was serious.

- I lost everyone... I lost everyone... I whisper sadly and with realization as this pausing feeling has intensified. It's like there is no more life, to more movement...

- Hey, I am still here and so is Kol and Meryll and all your friends, Boo, he replies to me until I push his hand away from my chin and start to cry hardly. I can't take it... It's too much pain at once... And it has been for so long that I am in pain... Gillian, I need you to breathe, he tells me seriously while placing his hand on my chest bone. Breathe... I am so choking and so hurt, that I didn't even feel or care that I wasn't breathing well. I am actually almost gasping...

- Ahh, you were right... I can't take it... I'm too weak... I say through my hard sobs while looking up at my uncle with sorrow and pain in my eyes.

- No, absolutely not. You're not weak, Princess, he replies with a serious tone, his left hand still gripping onto my vest. I need to explode... I need to scream or shout... I need to breathe... I need my dad...

- Dad... I want my dad, Damon... I need him! I say, almost screaming at him while I get on my knees. My face is right in front of his while both my hands are gripping firmly onto his shirt. I just feel so lost, so powerless... Damon stays silent to the sight of my crying face, clearly not knowing what to say. I need dad and mom... I'm lost... What am I going to do without them? I tell and ask him with deep pain in my voice.

- So much, Princess, because I am still here and I'll take care of you, he replies to me with a comforting and reassuring tone, trying to find anything to calm me down. But that didn't work... Instead, I suddenly scream in agony and cry harder while clutching over myself... Over my heart. Gillian, calm down, please, he pleads me, his voice lightly breaking. My heart hurts so much... How can it hurt so much if it feels empty? I scream and sob again before getting up rapidly. Damon follows me with his eyes confused. Screaming, I grab the car by the bottom and turn it upside down with my vampire strength. Gillian, please... calls me, Damon, again, standing up as well. I ignore him and kick in one of the windows breaking it as I groan of sorrow and pain. Suddenly, my uncle grabs me from behind and backs me off from the car, preventing me from hurting myself. It's going to be alright, Boo. I promise, he whispers in my ear with a soothing voice. I struggle into his grip, trying to get away. However, I rapidly give up and let myself falling down to the ground. Damon keeps hold of me this time, making sure my back doesn't leave his chest.

- I can't... I can't... I don't want to live without dad, Damon... I can't... He can't... He can't... He can't be gone! He... I say with a struggling voice, feeling it crack and shake. I can't even do a whole sentence without sobbing every two words... I lean in, the tears streaming down my face like a waterfall. No matter the position I have, standing up, on my knees, on the ground, sitting down, clutching... The pain just won't leave. Daddy!! I shout with a strong emotional voice, the deepest sadness heard in it. Please, someone wake me up from this nightmare... From this Hell!

- Gillian, shh... Shh... shushes me, Damon, bringing me completely back against him. He gently rocks us left to right. I want to stop feeling like this, I want to stop crying, to stop screaming... But I accumulated so much that now that everyone are gone... What is the point to stay strong? Gillian, I'm so sorry but please calm down, pleads me, Damon, again, sounding like he throwing off the game. He wants to help me, but he clearly doesn't know what to do at this time.

- I can't... I can't... The pain... Ahh!! Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop! Ahh!! Dad!!! I continue to scream in agony, feeling the need to just break everything that surrounds me. I feel submerged, almost like I am stuck in the deepest hole and I cannot see the top or the exit of it. Suddenly, Damon lets go of me, but while always keeping one hand on my shoulder. He goes kneeling in front of me when he sees my hands shaking severely. Oh God... My uncle takes them in his, squeezing them. Bring them back, Damon. Please, I plead him, looking up into his eyes as I feel the tears still falling down my face and falling to the ground. Bring me back my parents because I need them. Please, please, Damon. Please... I continue to plead him, crying, my voice strongly shaking and breaking. I actually don't even know how I manage to talk with that huge lump down my throat. Bring them back. Bring them back. Bring them back! I repeat, speaking louder and louder until screaming for the umpteenth time. How come I don't feel better while screaming?

- Gillian, look at me. Hey... He releases one of my hands and grabs my chin again to force me to look up at him. I love you. I love you so much... So, so much, Little Niece. And it hurts me to see you in such pain, he tells me with a strong and sincere love in his voice while staring into my crying eyes. He loves me... That's what dad used to tell me. The groaning and screaming cease slowly and for a moment but the tears are still well present.

- I want my dad... I whisper to my uncle before closing my eyes.

- I know. I know, Boo. Hey... I shake my head, clutching over myself again as I grab onto my heart. Please, someone takes it and rips it for me... Gillian, listen to me. You have been fighting for so long against grief, anger, pain, darkness, loneliness, sorrow, misunderstanding, arguments, torture,... Everything. You fought so bravely like a true warrior, Little Niece, tells me gently, calmly and with a proud tone, my uncle, when he suddenly grabs and cups my face with both his hands. I lean back to normal, re-opening my eyes. I look at my uncle, lightly struggling to breathe again. I groan again and continue to sob when I grab his wrist. I squeeze it to the point that Damon grimaces. It's the pain taking over me... But he doesn't complain nor move. Shh, shh, I'm here. I'm here. Gillian... I love you so profoundly much and it's because I love you and because I hate to see you like this that... He repeats and tells me seriously into my eyes before abruptly stopping himself from talking. I can see the pain in his eyes as he is looking into mines. I shake my head negatively again while travelling my hand up his arm and to his collar. I grip onto it and rip it while groaning and crying of agony again. Damon doesn't say anything about his shirt, but he takes my hand in his, interweaving our fingers together before squeezing it. Turn it off, he suddenly whispers. What? I look up at him seriously, making sure I heard him right. Turn it off, Boo. Just turn it completely off, Princess... You're not alone, he continues to whisper, repeating his words while squeezing my hand harder and with confort. I sob and sob, air becoming harder and harder to get inside my lungs. Don't think about anything for a moment. Just let it go... Let it go, he tells me and whispers seriously, his other hand caressing my hair softly. Turning it off... Wouldn't it be weak? It would go against everything dad taught me... But it feels too much... It is just too much... There's so much that I can take... I stare at Damon, still sobbing and gripping onto his hand. My uncle nods positively to me, encouraging and showing me that he truthfully allows me to do it. He is with me in this... I'm not alone... I gasp and continue to sob for a few more seconds until a dead silence takes place in the area. The pain, the emptiness, the sorrow, the grief... It is all gone... I don't feel anything anymore... And time is back to normal. This pausing feeling is gone as well... That's right, Boo. That's right... Whispers softly, Damon to me, sticking his forehead to the side of my head before he kisses my cheek. I can feel him stroking my hair at the same time while having him by my sides. I stare blankly in front of me, having no care for anything anymore. And just like that, I am gone again...

Hey guys!! How are you? 😁 New chapter here and very last one of season 4! 😱 I can't believe I already wrote the four first seasons! 😱 It went to fast and it was so intriguing and fun to write!! I loved it and I love it even more every time I write a chapter! 💖 I just have so much ideas for what is coming 😉 Roll on to season 5! Thank you very much for the 126k!!😱 That's crazy guys!!💪 I also cannot believe that next chapter will be the 90th!! 💪💖 What did you think of this new chapter?

- What did you think of Kol's proposal?
- What did you think of Jeremy's hate towards Gillian? Their argument?
- What did you think of Meryll waking up and slowly integrating the family?
- What are you thoughts about Gillian and Kol taking care of Meryll? Should they keep her?
- What did you think of Gillian losing her mother, her father and almost Damon and Kol in only one day/night?
- Do you like Damon and Gillian uncle/niece relationship they have?
- What did you think of Gillian switching off her emotions after Damon told her to do it? Did you like that he was there for her the whole time?
- Did you like the Alaric/Gillian, Lexi/Gillian, Klaus/Gillian, Kyle/Gillian moments?
- Who do you think would have been a better father in the show, Stefan or Damon?
- What was your most memorable moment(s) in those chapters of S4? In the whole book?

- Next chapter : Will Gillian go to college? Will she share her bedroom with Caroline as Elena has another one?
- Next chapter : should Kol brings Gillian's emotions back? Anyone else?
- Next chapter : Artemis and Silas scene?

- Next chapter : Damon checking up on Gillian like he did when Stefan was gone with Klaus?

- Next chapter : Caroline and Gillian scene?

- Next chapterS: Should Jeremy and Elena get slowly along with Gillian now? Have talks and clarified few things between them?

Thank you for reading this new and last chapter of season 4!!😁 I apologize for the mistakes!! 😏 Please, feel free to vote and/or comment!!😘😘😘😘